A property developer has filed a proposal with the Town of Blacksburg to change the land use of 801 and 803 Airport Road from low density residential to medium density, multi-unit. The proposal allows the developer to construct 60 rental units immediately next to Margaret Beeks Elementary School (See Picture).

We oppose this proposed change and request that Blacksburg keep the existing land use designation at Low Density Residential.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR PETITION TO KEEP THE EXISTING LAND USE DESIGNATION.

The town has designated this area low density residential in the Comprehensive Plan since the beginning. We welcome development of the site in a manner consistent with the current low residential designation. That is not what the developer is proposing.

The proposal will allow undergraduate student style apartments and car parks that are out of scale and character with this quiet residential neighborhood. We have serious and legitimate concerns about the safety and quality of life of the community and Beeks' families that such a large development will bring.

Increasing the housing density designation solely benefits the developer. Keeping this location as currently designated benefits the neighborhood, the school and the whole community.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR PETITION TO KEEP THE CURRENT LAND USE DESIGNATION.

The next opportunity for public comment on this issue is at the Long Range Planning Committee Meeting on April 28 at 4 p.m. at the Blacksburg Motor Building Company, 400 S. Main Street, Blacksburg.

If you would like more details please contact Jane at jemachin3@gmail.com.

Note: We encourage everyone to read the developer's proposal before reaching a conclusion regarding who will or will not benefit from this development. A few people recently "signed" this petition then posted comments either disagreeing with our stated position or disparaging the comments of others. By definition, signing a petition endorses its position. Therefore we have deleted and will continue to delete the signatures and comments of anyone whose comments clearly indicate they do not agree with our position, not wanting to count those signatures in the total tally of signatures we present to town representatives.This is a petition in support of maintaining the existing future land use designation of 801-803 Airport Road, and opposing the Lester Group's request to change that designation. The town holds multiple public forums to debate proposed development. The next one is The Long Range Planning Committee's upcoming meeting, on April 28 at 4 p.m. at 400 South Main Street.