Collegiate Times

By a 4-3 vote, Blacksburg Town Council denied Fairmount University Realty Trust's request for a Special Use Permit to build a Sonic Drive-In as part of the 1st and Main development at 1430 South Main Street.

Related: Permit Request

At the June 10 meeting, after a briefing by Zoning Administrator Andrew Warren the council opened public comment on the proposed site, which would have been at the northernmost out-parcel abutting South Main Street.

After receiving comment from several Blacksburg residents - all but one opposed to the permit - the council entered discussion and then voted.

Warren addressed concerns brought by the Planning Commission regarding noise, the "Sonic Radio" music broadcast, signage and integration into the Phase One development's pedestrian and vehicle access.

Warren also presented documents showing the proposed location and layout of the Sonic Drive-In.

Of primary concern to the Planning Commission, Town Council and residents were outdoor speakers, with over 30 speakers projected to be at the site.

The Planning Commission also considered the possibility of 24-hour traffic, limiting the permit to 6 a.m. to midnight operation, restricting trash pickup to daylight hours and "Sonic Radio" broadcasts under the outdoor dining canopy to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Blacksburg Planning Commission recommended approval of the Special Use Permit by a 7-to-1 vote.

Residents presented arguments for and against the proposal.

"The first test is public necessity, convenience, general welfare," Glade Road resident Chuck Rogol said.

"If you do not send it back (to the Planning Commission), you have an obligation to discuss the need and justification for the Sonic Drive-In, whether or not it meets the test of public necessity, convenience and general welfare," Rogol said. "This would allow residents to learn how each of you feels about the town's need and justification for the Sonic Drive-In."

Sonic representatives said their business would be consistent with zoning requirements and is similar to other fast-food establishments in Blacksburg.

"My speakers are not loudspeakers. I decided to move our music speakers to the patio, which brought me a lot of heat from Sonic corporate, but I felt it was best to address the Planning Committee's concerns," Sonic representative Andrew Marset said regarding concerns about noise pollution.

One resident said that the comparison to other fast-food establishments was a specious argument. She claimed that opening a Sonic Drive-In on South Main would bring "trash, traffic, light, noise and fumes" to the area.

Frank Lau, a Woodbine Drive resident, said that he regularly drove by the Christiansburg Sonic during his work for Blacksburg Transit and saw no cause for concern.

"I go by that Sonic 11 times a day, I've never heard or seen anything that makes me think this isn't a good idea," Lau said.

After public comment, council discussed the application.

Mayor Ron Rordam said that he'd observed the Sonic at Christiansburg earlier that day, and he'd seen no cause for concern.

"I walked up to what I assume is the property line, and I couldn't hear anything," Rordam said. "I'm not crazy about a Sonic, but I see no reason to deny the application."

Councilwoman Mary Holliman said that she had not seen sufficient mitigation of public concerns about noise and congestion.

"We have an integrated plan, and part of that plan is to make pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly developments," Holliman said.

"While a lot has been done to address these concerns, it just isn't enough," Holliman said.

The final permit vote was Paul Lancaster, Al Leighton and Ron Rordam voted for; Mary Holliman, Don Langrehr, Tom Sherman and Susan Anderson voted against.

Sonic representatives had no comment following the vote.