We support small local business because it is a direct benefit to out local economy, community, and allows workers to negotiate quality of life issues such as, child care. Hasn't big business done enough to destroy everyday peoples life worlds and choices!
That area of B'burg does need re-vitalized, but with local business rather than a WalMart or similar store, especially with stores already in C'burg and Radford.
Blacksburg can do better! A study done by VT professor Chris Nelson notes that nationwide, half of all development in 2030 will have been built since 2000. This means that for roughly every building that stands today, another one will be built by 2030. Do we want Blacksburg’s new buildings to be strip malls and big boxes? Quality, pedestrian-friendly developments that add vitality to Blacksburg, like Kent Square, are possible. This ordinance is vital to our leadership’s ability to pro- actively shape the future of our community.
Traffic demands resulting from the Big Box stores in Christiansburg are a large part of why the 460 bypass was constructed. The bypass affords Blacksburg's residents easy access to the shopping centers. The bypass also represents an enormous taxpayer investment, which becomes very difficult to justify if the stores which it provides access to end up being built in the center of town anyway.
To have another Wal-mart less than 5 miles from the one in C-burg is lunacy. They would be competing against each other; not to mention the damage to our local businesses in downtown Blacksburg that already have a difficult time. I don't want the congestion or traffic that comes with these big box businesses. Take control of our town's future. You can make a difference. Start by not allowing a Wal-mart into Blacksburg back yard!
The area in question is right next to Margaret Beeks Elementary School. A big box store there would be a very undesirable development for the vicinity of an elementary school, not to mention the residential areas next to the school.
When there is one of every kind of big-box store just 5 miles down the road, why on earth would Blacksburg need another? There is no need. What makes Blacksburg a great place to live is its retention of the small-town feel, its resistance to the "Anywhere, USA" feel. Keep it that way.
Passage of this ordinance gives the citizens the right they deserve to direct the growth of Blacksburg in a measured and strategic way. Promoting sustainable local businesses over big box stores will be better for the community's economy, health and environmental well-being in the long run.
I'm perfectly OK driving, cycling, or taking the bus to C'Burg to do all of my big-box store shopping. I love walking and cycling around B'Burg to all the local stores for all of my immediate needs. I really like the quaint town feel and the safe roads here in B'Burg. My own hometown went the way of development and lost a lot of that intimate shopping connection and friendliness. It is also CONGESTED with cars and traffic and has become hazardous to cyclists and pedestrians. It's sad to see that happen.
The town government should have and exercise the authority to control development in order to create and maintain a viable economic, cultural, and social environment that benefits its residents.
Big stores generate big traffic, big sewer, etc. It is reasonable and prudent for Town to require a special use permit for these businesses. This ordinance should have been in place years ago.
We already have these stores in Christiansburg, which is one good reason I want to live in Blacksburg. And I lived in Christiansburg for twelve good years! -- years prior to 'development' and 'improvement.' Let's rebuild the South Main Street area with smaller shops. I agree with Richard Rich about retaining control over our own future too.
I especially like the special use permit in this proposal since there may be a large department store that meets our expectations of a good company. This leaves the door open to exceptions instead of making a blanket shut down.
We don't need any more WalMarts (no one does) nor Home Despots. Keep them and those that would have them out of this town!
the unique culture of blacksburg was one of the original things that drew me to this town. adding a store such as wal-mart will certainly take away from the charm and appeal that a place like this has.
Blacksburg has made it this long without the big-box chains and it seems to me we are already struggling a little, (vacant downtown storefronts) Let's not empty out the rest of downtown! The stores in Cburg are easily accessible and convenient to all of Blacksburg, thanks to the bypass. Let's keep Blacksburg a special place!!!
This ordinance is simply a logical way to give our community more control over its own future. It is a step toward more democracy, and an essential tool for the Town to have in trying to implement its own Master Plan rather than abdicating control of our community to ouside interests.
Ord 1450 allows the people of Blacksburg to express and implement their values. Town Council should not be afraid of taking control away from developers and working with the citizens of Blacksburg.
I fully support this Ordinance - and we certainly don't need a WalMart (or all those other stores that the money-grubbing land developer (initials J.S.) would love to see.
Not only does the current singleminded focus on development of big stores threaten the distinctiveness of our town in general, the particular case prompting this petition encroaches on wetland space within town limits. Another reason not to build Blacksburg BIG...
As a local CPA I see
the effects that the
big chains have on
local business owners. Let's revitalize what we have and not send our shopping dollars to big box corporations who have no real interest in Blacksburg's future. They will just close down and move on to the next little town if things don't meet
their expectations
here.
Blacksburg doens't need the big box stores. These stores have taken so much away from Christiansburg's beauty already. Don't do the same to Blacksburg. Even though I don't live in Blacksburg, I do visit and I think this would be a big eyesore.
It's a good idea to pass Ordinance 1450. It doesn't outlaw bigger stores, it just ensures that the town and citizens have the right to evaluate the pros and cons of a big store before granting the permission for one to be built. A pretty reasonable proposition if you ask me.
We must support Ordinance 1450--we must be good stewards of the land that we have left here in B'burg. And we simply can't allow So. Main to be turned into another C'burg commercial district...things are already bad enough in our downtown, with various storefronts standing empty. Let's redirect and reinvent, not cave in. If we have to shop at Wal-Mart, we can still guzzle another 50 cents of gas to do so.
Ordance 1450 is a necessity. The Town needs to sponsor downtown revitalization, community based business. Most residents cherish the unique,low key atmosphere, and many folks decide to move here for this very reason. Blacksburg was recently designated a "Cool City". Building a monster movie/entertainment complex and big box store does not create a "Cool City". What happened to the original concept of the S. Main development?
Just look at the way downtown Christiansburg has been turned into a GHOST TOWN since the big boxes moved into C'burg. I wholeheartedly support Ordinance 1450!
Our roads can't handle the traffic that would be generated. Getting around town is already becoming more difficult every year.
We don't need more big boxes so close to the ones near the NRV Mall.
The idea of a big box store coming into Blacksburg would change the face of the town forever. This needs to be stopped. Christiansburg is only five minutes away!
Bait and switch - where are the apartments, the gardens, the upscale shopping? Now it is Books a Million, big box stores a 14 screen thaetre and mini golf. We need to curb development.
I attended the meeting about the development on S. Main St., and nothing was ever presented about a "big box" store--it was all supposed to be small shops, garden apartments, lovely landscaping. Were we hoodwinked?
The developers, and some members of town council, sold the S. Main development as one thing. Now we find it is something else. This is a classic bait and switch tactic used by developers and big box stores. The whole episode underscores the need for something like Ordinance 1450.
While I understand the need and desire to bring in more tax revenue to Blacksburg, there's no reason why citizens shouldn't have a say in granting permission to a business that could change the face of our town this drastically. By-right uses in this town are responsible for most of the bad development I've seen.
Ordinance 1450 makes sense for Blacksburg. By requiring application for a special use permit before developers can build large "box" style retail stores and providing time for public input on a case by case basis everyone wins: developers have the opportunity to bring larger stores if there is public support which in turn increases their liklihood of having a successful business and citizens can have the time and opportunity to meaningfully express their opinions and directly impact growth and development in Blacksburg.
The unique character of Blacksburg shops and the lack of generic chain stores/restaraunts is what made Blacksburg special. That specialness is in the process of being torn down (four years ago, there weren't any Starbuck's, now there are three). If Blacksburg were to let big-box stores in, it would be the death-knell of the community.
Approval for development of the South Main project was fast tracked, ostensibly in order to get desirable merchants at an impending trade show. There was NO mention of a possible big box merchant. To allow one would destroy the character of Blacksburg. This ordinance is one that NEEDS to be fast tracked.
The town will be paying for expensive ($$) run-off water management of these retail spaces. Without the ability to slow the development process, proper planning, analysis and a fair public information campaign don't have a chance..
The residents of Blacksburg deserve a voice in which big box stores are allowed to settle here. This ordinance insures that voice is afforded to them. It is equally important that this ordinance be "Fast Tracked" before Big Boxes are allowed a foot hold in the South Main Street development Project. To be implemented fairly, it must be applied to all Big Box applicants from this poingt forward.
If we don't support our local businesses, there will be no more good places to shop! The personal service and quality of goods is far better than with chains, and niche marketing is better for the environment because there is less waste. Keep Blacksburg local!
In Virginia, 60 cents of every dollar spent downtown, stays downtown compared to just 6 cents for every dollar spent in big box stores. if you want to invest in your community, keep big boxes out. Preserve the environment, small businesses, and the character of our town. Expedite this ordinance.
