I went to Margaret Beeks and have friends who's children go there and live in this neighborhood. I would not want so many people living in such a small area next to the school. Harding Ave is like this...and it is just not the atmosphere people expect from this part of town.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Blacksburg need more single housing family homes close to schools and campus. Please keep this type of development in appropriate areas.
E
Erin R Parker
10 years ago
It did the same to me, I live across Main St. from the school. Definitely not Roanoke.
S
Samantha L.
10 years ago
I am a graduate of VA Tech, a Blacksburg resident of 14 years, and a parent of two young children. For those reasons and also because we may move into the Beeks district soon, I strongly oppose this proposal and agree with the points made by the gentleman below:
"Michael Weber United States, Charlottesville
Mar 21, 2016 I cannot express strongly enough how inappropriate the Lester Groups proposal for 801/803 Airport Road properties is for the street, the school and the nearby family-friendly neighborhoods.
...
I feel that there are a number of clear and compelling reasons NOT to allow the rezoning as proposed.
...
1. This is a RARE sub-urban "free-range" childhood area. The potential for 228+ college students taking up residence in the middle of this special place would absolutely decimate this quality.
2. Pedestrian traffic around the school would be forever altered. I and other neighbors walk our children to school every morning. The scale of traffic that this proposal would generate would turn this into an urban experience. NOT appropriate for this side of town.
3. This development would drive families and owner occupied homes out of Airport Acres, a neighborhood seeing a significant shift from renters to owners. Blacksburg cannot afford to lose another in-town neighborhood to students!
4. This is NOT an appropriate use of property immediately adjacent to an elementary school.
5. School dropoff traffic already backs up for blocks in either direction every morning and afternoon. The potential for such a massive increase in cars entering and leaving that property would completely overwhelm Airport Road and the surrounding streets.
6. Town Zoning is critical to maintaining the quality of life in the town. This request is completely at odds with appropriate use on every level."
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
This type of housing does not fit with the neighborhood at all.
K
Kristina Alderson
10 years ago
Keep the existing land use designation!!
J
Jessica Jones
10 years ago
Featured
No idea why it recorded me as being from Roanoke. I live in the Margaret Beeks school district and my son goes to school there. I have a vested interest in this issue. -Jess Jones
J
Jessica Jones
10 years ago
Young families currently have a stressfully difficult time finding single-family homes in the Margaret Beeks school district. In fact, most homes sell before they even hit the MLS or at best spend less than a week on the MLS before they are under contract. Replacing still more low density residential with college student housing not only adds to this problem, but it fundamentally alters the fabric of the neighborhood. Young families want safe neighborhoods where their children can ride their bikes and visit their friends around the neighborhood. PLEASE stop destroying what few ...affordable... neighborhoods Blacksburg has left that fulfill this desire. I will definitely be at this hearing.
K
Kati williams
10 years ago
This is not an appropriate place for college student housing
J
Johanna Cricenti
10 years ago
This could increase risk factors for young kids with increased traffic and need for security for the school with a larger population to monitor.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
This area should remain low density. Students have a place in Blacksburg, both college and elementary. Let the elementary students continue to be schooled surrounded by low density residential development.
T
Tia Walters
10 years ago
This is the worst idea ever to put apartments right there.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
This is a poor choice next to an elementary school. Additionally an apartment complex will ruin the integrity and feel of the area. Finally, Airport Road cannot handle any additional traffic.
L
Laurel Marburg
10 years ago
I live on South Main Street and love this area and hope to buy yet another house in this area. However, if more development like this comes I think I will be moving of the area instead of investing more. Please let the families and professionals of Blacksburg have some places without being overrun by students. They are part of our community and what makes us Blacksburg, but there should be areas like this Airport Road area that is special for the children that go to Beeks and the families that have their entire life in Blacksburg and not just a few years.
Thank you.
E
Erin R Parker
10 years ago
I live in a higher-density student-oriented complex across Main St. from this current proposal. My current lodgings are not suitable for family upbringing, as students are constantly having cigar cookouts outside our windows. I cannot escape the constant odor of tobacco and my parking lot is not safe for my son to ride his bike--we have to drive him to the Corporate Research Center on the weekends to take a bike ride in safety. He has had many sleep-deprived nights due to our neighbors' partying late into the night. I have encountered-far too often-the little piles of pestilence left behind by student pet-owners. Would anybody like to have that on their child's shoes after walking home? I wouldn't because I am already aware of how gross it is. I also know the hazards of being on the road near so many young and less-experienced drivers. Please do not succumb to the sheer greed of developers and leave this peaceful community as is! There are many newer developments in which to house students that remain vacant, why push students into a neighborhood where they will constantly have the police called on their unscrupulous behaviors? Kids will be kids and STUDENTS will be STUDENTS, please keep the current zoning to allow for an appropriate line of demarcation between families and students.
L
Leonore Nadler
10 years ago
I oppose this plan. Airport Acres where Margaret Beeks Elementary is located is a very special place and should remain as such. Medium Density housing would dramatically change the spirit of this neighborhood and I believe adversely affect the atmosphere of Margaret Beeks Elementary School.
J
Julie Keeton
10 years ago
Do not allow
L
Layne Hellman
10 years ago
Do not allow this.
P
Pamela VandeVord
10 years ago
I oppose the development
B
Bryan Lewis
10 years ago
I'd consider purchasing one of these properties for development of a single family dwelling.
I went to Margaret Beeks and have friends who's children go there and live in this neighborhood. I would not want so many people living in such a small area next to the school. Harding Ave is like this...and it is just not the atmosphere people expect from this part of town.
Blacksburg need more single housing family homes close to schools and campus. Please keep this type of development in appropriate areas.
It did the same to me, I live across Main St. from the school. Definitely not Roanoke.
I am a graduate of VA Tech, a Blacksburg resident of 14 years, and a parent of two young children. For those reasons and also because we may move into the Beeks district soon, I strongly oppose this proposal and agree with the points made by the gentleman below: "Michael Weber United States, Charlottesville Mar 21, 2016 I cannot express strongly enough how inappropriate the Lester Groups proposal for 801/803 Airport Road properties is for the street, the school and the nearby family-friendly neighborhoods. ... I feel that there are a number of clear and compelling reasons NOT to allow the rezoning as proposed. ... 1. This is a RARE sub-urban "free-range" childhood area. The potential for 228+ college students taking up residence in the middle of this special place would absolutely decimate this quality. 2. Pedestrian traffic around the school would be forever altered. I and other neighbors walk our children to school every morning. The scale of traffic that this proposal would generate would turn this into an urban experience. NOT appropriate for this side of town. 3. This development would drive families and owner occupied homes out of Airport Acres, a neighborhood seeing a significant shift from renters to owners. Blacksburg cannot afford to lose another in-town neighborhood to students! 4. This is NOT an appropriate use of property immediately adjacent to an elementary school. 5. School dropoff traffic already backs up for blocks in either direction every morning and afternoon. The potential for such a massive increase in cars entering and leaving that property would completely overwhelm Airport Road and the surrounding streets. 6. Town Zoning is critical to maintaining the quality of life in the town. This request is completely at odds with appropriate use on every level."
This type of housing does not fit with the neighborhood at all.
Keep the existing land use designation!!
No idea why it recorded me as being from Roanoke. I live in the Margaret Beeks school district and my son goes to school there. I have a vested interest in this issue. -Jess Jones
Young families currently have a stressfully difficult time finding single-family homes in the Margaret Beeks school district. In fact, most homes sell before they even hit the MLS or at best spend less than a week on the MLS before they are under contract. Replacing still more low density residential with college student housing not only adds to this problem, but it fundamentally alters the fabric of the neighborhood. Young families want safe neighborhoods where their children can ride their bikes and visit their friends around the neighborhood. PLEASE stop destroying what few ...affordable... neighborhoods Blacksburg has left that fulfill this desire. I will definitely be at this hearing.
This is not an appropriate place for college student housing
This could increase risk factors for young kids with increased traffic and need for security for the school with a larger population to monitor.
This area should remain low density. Students have a place in Blacksburg, both college and elementary. Let the elementary students continue to be schooled surrounded by low density residential development.
This is the worst idea ever to put apartments right there.
This is a poor choice next to an elementary school. Additionally an apartment complex will ruin the integrity and feel of the area. Finally, Airport Road cannot handle any additional traffic.
I live on South Main Street and love this area and hope to buy yet another house in this area. However, if more development like this comes I think I will be moving of the area instead of investing more. Please let the families and professionals of Blacksburg have some places without being overrun by students. They are part of our community and what makes us Blacksburg, but there should be areas like this Airport Road area that is special for the children that go to Beeks and the families that have their entire life in Blacksburg and not just a few years. Thank you.
I live in a higher-density student-oriented complex across Main St. from this current proposal. My current lodgings are not suitable for family upbringing, as students are constantly having cigar cookouts outside our windows. I cannot escape the constant odor of tobacco and my parking lot is not safe for my son to ride his bike--we have to drive him to the Corporate Research Center on the weekends to take a bike ride in safety. He has had many sleep-deprived nights due to our neighbors' partying late into the night. I have encountered-far too often-the little piles of pestilence left behind by student pet-owners. Would anybody like to have that on their child's shoes after walking home? I wouldn't because I am already aware of how gross it is. I also know the hazards of being on the road near so many young and less-experienced drivers. Please do not succumb to the sheer greed of developers and leave this peaceful community as is! There are many newer developments in which to house students that remain vacant, why push students into a neighborhood where they will constantly have the police called on their unscrupulous behaviors? Kids will be kids and STUDENTS will be STUDENTS, please keep the current zoning to allow for an appropriate line of demarcation between families and students.
I oppose this plan. Airport Acres where Margaret Beeks Elementary is located is a very special place and should remain as such. Medium Density housing would dramatically change the spirit of this neighborhood and I believe adversely affect the atmosphere of Margaret Beeks Elementary School.
Do not allow
Do not allow this.
I oppose the development
I'd consider purchasing one of these properties for development of a single family dwelling.