Citizens First forum questionnaire John L.

Bush, AIA 21 September 2011

1a.The old BHS is zoned R-4. The town should acquire the property from the county and use the land for future additional recreational facilities and for a new county/town rescue station. It is likely that we would need a targeted revenue stream for the purchase, if necessary, but as the current facility has a negative value we should receive a credit on the existing building. The county also should support the towns property purchase as the rescue station is also a county operation and the additional recreation fields could be jointly shared by the town and the county. I think the neighborhood residents should be in favor of this approach, and of course, the surrounding neighbors should be part of the process, just like other town citizens. 1b. The OBMS is a keystone to the prosperity and is the southern entry to the downtown. The development of the OBMS site has been part of the downtown master plan as well as the comprehensive plan for at least 10-15 years. The master plan document is a concept vision with neighborhood support for the future development of the almost 20-acre site. Partners include the owners of the property, (the county), the Town, Modea and concerned citizens and neighbors that live close to the property. I very much support this plan and am thrilled that the Town is able to support Modea and their purchase of the front six acres of this land. I also like the plan for the open space and parks and I hope we will find a way to construct as much of the open space and communal area as possible. The town would also like to partner with Community Housing Partners and leverage some of our CBDG funds to build some moderate income housing. The devil is very much still in the details, as the saying goes, and my concerns mostly have to do with developing and maintaining quality aesthetics and design guidelines and the implementation of those guidelines. 1c. The Towns interest has been represented in the planning of this concept document but we are very much in the middle of the process with much hard work yet to be accomplished. 1d. The old middle school and high school have been covered above. I supported the CUP for the new high school on the Kipps farm. With a lot of hard work and effort we should have a new high school and be able to open the middle school back up to our middle school students by August 2013. We should all pull together for that goal. 2a. The downtown commercial area has made a significant comeback in the past 10-years. There are still some empty store fronts and work left to do, but we have made many improvements and there are significant changes currently occurring and on schedule for completion over the next 5 or so years. Some of these projects include, but are not limited to: the north Main St. improvements the College Ave. Promenade the VT CFTA and the Towns arts district the development of the OBMS site the Farmers Market the three commercial center trolley

Citizens First forum questionnaire John L. Bush, AIA 21 September 2011

the Alexander Black House rehabilitation the Historic District CDBG funds for faade improvements

Businesses and adjacent residences benefit from the relationship of the downtown businesses and the adjacent neighborhoods. There are transportation opportunities provided by the BT, and the neighborhoods are located in a walk-able distance to VT and the market centers. The CFTA will likely have a positive impact on future development of near and adjacent properties and I believe this trend will continue over the next 10 or more years. 2b. i) We should continue our efforts to find uses for the vacant store fronts and shops in the downtown area ii) The College Avenue Promenade Project will transform the experience of the Town/Gown edge for students and residents alike iii) The completion of the Alexander Black project and the establishment of the arts district. iv) The relocation of the fraternities and sororities to campus or to a more appropriate location. 2c. The College Avenue project is a great project. I would like to see a bike lane added. 2d. In general, Blacksburg development is properly regulated, but we can and should educate people about the Health, Safety, & Welfare aspects of regulation and be responsive to the needs of residents and property owners. We do need to enforce the zoning, make changes where needed and assist permanent residences with deleterious conditions in the neighborhoods due to over-occupancy, noise, traffic and parking and lifestyle conflicts. 2e. We should encourage new commercial and retail development if it supports our current downtown businesses and if it occurs where there is current infrastructure to support the new development. The Town has three main commercial areas in the downtown, University City Boulevard and First and Main, located along two main arteries, Main Street and Prices Fork. These are the areas we should concentrate on new development. 2f. I am supportive of the CUP process for large commercial spaces. This is a good policy as we need the review of citizens and neighboring communities that the CUP process would require. A large commercial structure would require buffering from civic uses like schools and churches and from the quiet life of neighborhoods. This is reason enough for the review that a CUP would bring. 3a. We live in a university town. We have a large number of students in the community living next to and among permanent residents. There are many lifestyle conflicts that result from this

Citizens First forum questionnaire John L. Bush, AIA 21 September 2011

situation. I am hopeful that through dialogue and communication many of the conflicts can be understood and made more bearable, if not resolved. Students need to know that they are living in a neighborhood and residents need to take a proactive role to head off issues before they occur and confront problems when they arise. We need more staff and police to enforce the current zoning and codes. I pledge to work full time on this issue if I am re-elected. 3b. Some codes are working and some are not. This is not an issue that will ever be eliminated as the neighborhoods and Town are constantly under the condition of 20,000+ students in a small town. We are essentially renting out our downtown residences. The no more than 3 unrelated rule needs to be enforced consistently. Landlords need to get the message that this rule will be enforced. Problem landlords need to be made an example of and the folks that are doing the right thing need to be commended. 3c. We have passed recent ordinances in support of the Historic District. Our remarkable Town history and its relationship to the HD supports a revitalized downtown. Destruction and demolition of property should not be taken lightly, but it should be considered where appropriate. A town that loses its history and its downtown loses its soul and its identify. We can see many communities across the region and state trying to get their downtowns back after the mistakes of the preceding decades. New properties could be added to the HD where appropriate and where desired. 3d. Except for game days, the downtowns big street fairs or Sunday morning church services downtown residential neighborhoods should not be used for general downtown or VT parking. 4a. Blacksburg has a good system for vehicular and other alternative transportation modes. It is not perfect, but it does reflect the various needs of our diverse community. The BT does an excellent job moving students and residents along the main corridors and we are developing an excellent trail and commuter system with the backbone being the Huckleberry Trail. These efforts support the high quality of life that Blacksburg residents have come to expect and love. 4b. We are trying to be a bike and pedestrian friendly community, but we have much left to do. We need to link our main corridors to the trail system and to the three commercial centers. Vehicular traffic on the two main arteries is an impediment to safe walking and biking, but they can be made safer and friendlier. We need to do this for all interested parties. I would have liked to have seen bike lanes included in the North Main Street project and I will also support and argue for a bike lane in the College Avenue project. 4d. The Safe Routes to School is a great program and the staff does an excellent job leveraging state and federal funds to connect our community and to make our schools safer and encourage walking and exercise in our young students. 5a. One of the most important things the Town can do towards environmental sustainability is to manage new development within the existing arterial corridors and where existing infrastructure

Citizens First forum questionnaire John L. Bush, AIA 21 September 2011

can support the new development of either commerce or residents. In addition, the Town should continue to support alternate modes of transportation that will link our trails, parks and open green spaces. Re-cycling efforts in the downtown also should be encouraged and I believe a plan is being considered and implemented. Water sustainability is important too and I think we will continue to see various efforts towards water quality and quantity in the near future. 5b. We have done a good job with our nature parks and I know the community values these areas of natural refuge to a high degree. We also can expand our recreational fields and we should have some opportunities to do so at the new high school, the old high school and the South Main medical park that should be constructed in the next year or so. I support all of these endeavors. 6a. It does not make financial sense for Blacksburg to become a city. We would have to raise taxes significantly so that we could raise funds to provide for the court system, the schools and the properties involved for these uses. If we were a city we would be required to provide additional police and the constitutional officers that are necessary for city status. In addition in my opinion, our future lies is in more connectivity between us, Christiansburg and the county, not less. 6b. The Town and the county are making significant strides toward increased understanding, cooperation and communication. This Council has worked with the county and will continue to cooperate where necessary to ensure the best outcome for all of our citizens. With better and intelligent representation at the supervisor level, I believe we will see significant steps being made to work together as our communities grow and become more like one community instead of separate communities. 6c. Land use, school rezoning and master planning of properties located in the Town and increased recreational opportunities are the areas where the Town and the county have mutual needs and interests. We have made significant strides in the past two-years in finding common ground to work together and I think this trend will continue. 7a. Yes, the University should collect the meals and lodging tax by non-VT users of the restaurants and at the Inn. It is the right thing to do and it does not cost the University anything to collect and remit this tax to the Town. It is neighborly and recognizes the symbiotic relationship between the University and the Town where the University is located. 7b. The Town and the downtown specifically will benefit greatly from the new CFTA and the resultant arts district. The area located between the OBMS site and the Prices Fork intersection with Main Street will be significantly improved commercially when this facility comes online. There should be increased shopping, dining and arts opportunities for regional residents and businesses. This is an exciting time for all involved and the next 5-10 years will see a remarkable shift toward increased recognition of our Town/Gown community and what it can offer Town residents, as well as our neighbors and friends in adjacent communities.

Citizens First forum questionnaire John L. Bush, AIA 21 September 2011

7c. The Town and the University work together on a host of and range of issues including, but not limited to sewer and water, police, the new regional 911 call center and various boards and commissions in the Town and county. Increased and continued communications is the key and lasting relationships at the highest levels should be continued and amplified. The health of the neighborhoods located near the university present continued areas in need of improvement. The competition between downtown shops and restaurants and the new venues on campus need to be recognized and both parties need to communicate clearly and effectively what their priorities and concerns are, but I believe we can and must make agreement and resolution a reality as it affects the quality of life for permanent residents and the health of the Town commercially. 8. It is the duty of elected officials and Town staff to provide clear, consistent and open communications to citizens about what the Town is doing and when and where meetings occur and decisions are being reached and codes passed. It is the duty of Town citizens to pay attention and to be involved by asking questions, attending work sessions and meetings and neighborhood group activities. It is a two-way street. Both sides need each other. Local government is usit is all of us. I stand for open, accountable small town government that is responsive to the citizens it serves while maintaining integrity in my personal conduct and views. The Town Council deliberates and provides policy direction and the staff of the Town Manager implements that policy. It is important in land use issues that community hearings are held and it is important that citizens attend and make their views know to staff and council. Inevitably in a small town, land use issues and new development are widely viewed as the most important decisions that are made by Council. Re-zoning applications should have proffers attached to them so that the Council and the citizens know what to expect from developers and new development. CUP reviews for large development and are right and proper in a small town since large development has ramifications for beyond what one might expect since the boundaries between neighborhoods, schools and commerce are the small buffer areas that need to be maintained. Council should for the most part reflect citizen needs and staff should implement Council policy. This is the direct line between citizen views and staff implementation. The elected Town officials are the link between the citizens and the professional staff. The Town Manager is responsible for the staff carrying out the Councils policy. If there is ever a discrepancy between the Council and the Manager, the Town Manager is accountable.