Harrisonburg meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Harrisonburg boards take up rezoning, housing, and zoning items

Over the past two weeks, the Harrisonburg City Council, Planning Commission, and Redevelopment and Housing Authority held meetings with several agenda items, including rezoning requests, a property transfer, and a zoning ordinance update. Minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no decisions are available.

City Council (Aug. 11)

The City Council met on Aug. 11 with a consent agenda and several public hearings. The agenda included a rezoning request and a special use permit for 704 N. Liberty Street, an amendment to the water conservation ordinance (Section 7-2-19), a supplemental appropriation for the Harrisonburg City School Board, the disposition of city-owned real estate on Neff Avenue to Pennrose, LLC, a rooftop lease with Verizon at 100 N. Main Street, and amendments to the building code regulations. The consent agenda also included minutes from the previous meeting and a supplemental appropriation for Public Works.

Planning Commission (Aug. 12 and Aug. 18)

The Planning Commission held public hearings on Aug. 12 for two special use permit requests: one by Caitlin Denbigh at 387 Monticello Avenue, and one by VG Harrisonburg Storage LLC at 291 West Wolfe Street and 336 West Market Street. The commission also considered a Comprehensive Plan amendment to incorporate the Northeast Neighborhood Small Area Plan (2025), a Zoning Ordinance amendment to define “poultry hatchery,” and a variance request by Jose Antonio Lopez Montiel at 704 North Liberty Street. The agenda included approval of minutes from July 8 and July 21.

On Aug. 18, the commission held a work session to review draft portions of the Zoning Ordinance Update, including zoning district names, intent statements, and draft Article E on parking and landscaping. No public comment was received at that session.

Redevelopment and Housing Authority (Aug. 19)

The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority met on Aug. 19 to consider the 2027 budget, a request for proposals for Court Square Theater management, and the transfer of properties from HRHA ownership to the Lineweaver Annex Corporation and Shenandoah Housing Corporation. The board also received updates on strategic initiatives, including the Bluestone Town Center and Lineweaver Annex renovation, and heard public comment on the 5-Year Plan, Annual Plan, and other housing plans.

Coming up

The City Council will meet on Aug. 25 to consider a rezoning request from Trenton Inc. and Bernard LC for the Lindsey Apartments at 435-495 South Main Street and 282-298 South Liberty Street, a separate rezoning request from Jose Antonio Lopez Montiel for 704 N Liberty Street, an amendment to the Subdivision Ordinance, and a supplemental appropriation for the Public Works Department. Public comments on agenda items will be accepted via phone or online.

The Redevelopment and Housing Authority will meet on Sept. 2 for a routine session that includes public comment, a report from the executive director, and a closed session to review the executive director’s performance. The agenda is largely procedural, with no major policy decisions or public hearings listed.

No decisions published from recent Harrisonburg meetings; council to weigh rezoning, land sale Aug. 11

No decisions have been published from Harrisonburg's recent government meetings, as minutes have not yet been released for any of the four meetings held in the past two weeks. The most consequential item on the horizon is the City Council's Aug. 11 meeting, which includes a rezoning request, a special use permit, and the sale of city-owned land.

Recent meetings (agenda only, no minutes published)

City Council (July 28) – The council's agenda included public hearings on a rezoning and two special use permits for 1340 South Main Street, requested by Marilyn S. Pendlebury, to allow multifamily buildings, retail, offices, and restaurants. Other items included adoption of a policy on Automatic License Plate Recognition systems, an amendment to the city's water conservation code for emergencies or drought, support for eight VDOT Smart Scale grant applications, a write-off of certain delinquent taxes, and a supplemental appropriation for the school board. No votes or outcomes are recorded.

Environmental Performance Standards Advisory Committee (July 29) – The committee heard a special presentation on including Harrisonburg in the Commonwealth's 2026 State Rail Plan, received public comment from Carl Larsson on the Link Tree Canopy, and discussed updates on environmental initiatives, the EAP Rubric for Development, and community goals. The agenda listed no votes or decisions.

School Board (Aug. 4) – The meeting was entirely procedural, including a call to order, adoption of the agenda, a moment of silence, and the pledge of allegiance. No substantive items were listed.

Stormwater Advisory Committee (Aug. 5) – The committee approved minutes from May 2026, heard public comments, and received staff updates on the MS4 program, VESMP, stormwater projects, water sampling, and urban forestry/pollinator initiatives. No votes on ordinances or contracts were listed.

Coming up

City Council (Aug. 11, 2026) – The council will hold a regular meeting with several public hearings and agenda items. Key items include:

• A rezoning request for 704 N. Liberty Street (Jose Antonio Lopez Montiel) and a related special use permit.
• An amendment to the city's water conservation ordinance (Section 7-2-19).
• A supplemental appropriation for the Harrisonburg City School Board.
• Disposition of city-owned real estate on Neff Avenue to Pennrose, LLC.
• A rooftop lease with Verizon at 100 N. Main Street.
• Amendments to building code regulations.

The meeting will also include a consent agenda with minutes from the previous meeting and a supplemental appropriation for Public Works.

Residents interested in these items can attend the meeting or review the agenda on the city's website.

Harrisonburg roundup: Council considered South Main Street rezoning; outcomes not yet available

City Council's July 28 meeting carried the heaviest agenda of the past two weeks, with public hearings scheduled on a rezoning and two special use permits for 1340 South Main Street. However, all recent meetings are listed as agenda-only with minutes not yet published, so no vote outcomes are available in the record.

City Council — July 28

The council was scheduled to hold public hearings and consider several items:

• **Rezoning of 1340 South Main Street**, requested by Marilyn S. Pendlebury.
• **Special use permit** for multifamily buildings with more than 12 units at 1340 South Main Street.
• **Special use permit** for retail, offices, and restaurants at 1340 South Main Street.
• **Adoption of a policy on use of Automatic License Plate Recognition Systems.**
• **Amendment to the water conservation code** for emergencies or drought.
• **Support for eight VDOT Smart Scale grant applications.**
• **Write-off of certain delinquent taxes.**
• **Supplemental appropriation for the school board.**

Because only the agenda is available and minutes have not been published, it is not possible to report how council voted on any of these items.

Planning Commission — July 21

The Planning Commission held a work session on the Zoning Ordinance Update Project, reviewing draft text and maps. Items on the agenda included:

• Draft Article C: Use Regulations
• Draft Sections 10-3-53 through 56: Site Development Standards
• Draft Section 10-3-11: Definitions
• Draft Zoning Map and Zoning District Breakdowns

No public comment was scheduled during this session. Minutes have not been published.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission — July 20

The commission was scheduled to approve May 2026 meeting minutes, receive the Director's report and project updates, address action items, and take member and public comments. Minutes from this meeting have not been published.

Environmental Performance Standards Advisory Committee — July 29

The committee was scheduled to hear a special presentation on including Harrisonburg in the Commonwealth's 2026 State Rail Plan. Other items included public comment by Carl Larsson on the Link Tree Canopy, an update from the Sustainability Manager on current environmental initiatives, discussion of the EAP Rubric for Development, and focus area and EAP Community Goals updates. No votes or decisions were scheduled; items were discussion and informational only.

Coming up

• **School Board — August 4:** The agenda consists entirely of procedural and ceremonial actions, including a call to order, adoption of the agenda, a moment of silence, and a pledge of allegiance. No substantive decisions or discussions are listed.
• **Stormwater Advisory Committee — August 5:** The committee will approve minutes from May 13, 2026, hear public comments, and receive staff updates on the MS4 program, VESMP, stormwater projects, water sampling, and urban forestry/pollinator initiatives. No votes on ordinances or contracts are listed.

Harrisonburg Boards Consider Rezoning, Permits, and Fee Increases

Recent Harrisonburg government meetings were scheduled to weigh apartment rezonings, short-term rental permits, and a towing fee increase. However, because minutes for all recent meetings are not yet published, no decisions or outcomes are confirmed in the available public records. The following items were on the agendas for the past two weeks.

Planning Commission

On July 8, the Planning Commission was scheduled to hold public hearings on rezoning requests for The Lindsey Apartments at 435, 445, 457, 473, 483 & 495 South Main Street and 282, 288, 294 & 298 South Liberty Street. The agenda also included a rezoning request and a special use permit request for 704 N Liberty Street. Additionally, the commission was set to consider proposed amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance and proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments regarding manufactured housing and R-8 district minimum lot width. Minutes from this meeting have not been published, so outcomes are not yet available.

City Council

City Council held a special meeting on July 14 for a closed session regarding specific legal matters and probable litigation. No public comment was scheduled and the meeting was not streamed. No other business was scheduled.

A second City Council meeting on July 14 was set to consider special use permits for a short-term rental at 453 West Water Street and a meat processing facility at 256 Charles Street. The agenda also included approving minutes from the June 23, 2026 City Council Meeting, considering special event applications for the Race to Beat Breast Cancer 5k and HDR Skeleton Festival, and receiving 2024 and 2025 Annual Reports from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Minutes are not yet published.

Electoral Board

The Electoral Board met on July 13 at City Hall to hear a report from the Director of Elections. The agenda included a closed session to discuss personnel matters and a closed session regarding election security practices. Minutes are not yet published.

Towing Board

The Harrisonburg Towing Board met on July 15 to discuss a fee increase. The agenda also included the approval of previous minutes and public comment. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming Up

• July 20: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will consider approval of the May 2026 meeting minutes, receive the Director's report and updates on park projects, and address action items, member questions, and general public comments.
• July 21: The Planning Commission will hold a work session to review and discuss draft text and maps for the Zoning Ordinance Update Project. The session focuses on use regulations, site development standards, and definitions. No public comment will be received during this meeting.