EDITOR’S NOTE: Luray Meeting Minutes are only publicly posted after they are officially approved by town council. Minutes for meetings may not be available for 30+ days after each meeting date.
A portion of text from meeting minutes (such as the list of those in attendance) has been removed here to conserve space. Otherwise, minutes have not been edited. Complete minutes in their original form may be viewed click HERE.
The agenda and additional materials for this meeting may be viewed HERE.
Historical photos are for the purpose of section breaks and are unrelated to the meeting minutes.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
The Luray Town Council met in regular session on Monday, May 11th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Luray Town Council Chambers located at 45 East Main Street, Luray, Virginia.
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Luray Downtown Initiative LDI Director, Jackie Wood, stated the Farmers Market banners are up. Ms. Wood said they are still accepting vendors.
Ms. Wood stated she will be meeting with stakeholders about two new businesses coming into a mixed used building. Ms. Wood stated that she has received a facade grant application and will have more information in upcoming months.
Councilman Pettit inquired about the Chamber’s accreditation. Ms. Wood stated that they are fully accredited for 2026 and met all standards in 2025.
Councilman Vickers inquired about the location for the Farmers Market. Ms. Wood stated that it will be held in the Chamber Parking Lot and will have a variety of vendors.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
RZ26-001- 102 S. Hawksbill Street (Potts)
Town Manager, Bryan Chrisman, requested Council conduct a public hearing to receive citizen input and to consider a request for a Parcel Rezoning from a High Density Residential (R-3) designated lot to a Business (B-1) designated lot for the parcel identified as Tax Map 42A11-7-1 owned by Christopher Potts (applicant/owner).
Mr. Chrisman stated this property is on the corner of Hawksbill and Page Street. Mr. Chrisman stated the subject parcel is approximately 7,000 square feet in size (0.16 acres) and the existing two-story structure contains approximately 1,410 square feet.
The property is bounded on two (2) sides by Business (B-1) parcels, and on the remaining two (2) sides by High Density Residential (R-3) parcels.
The intended use is for a Bed & Breakfast facility, or for a Lodging House with one or two units.
Mr. Chrisman stated the current structure was designed for original use as a single-family dwelling and was converted to a two (2) unit apartment, with one unit above the other and fully separate. Each unit has its own water meter.
Staff recommend the following conditions be considered:
1) The existing onsite (off-street) parking area needs to be enhanced to allow for at least two (2) vehicles, one per each one-bedroom unit.
2) Conform as much as possible to the relevant requirements of Chapter 403.2 (g) Bed & Breakfast facility [in example], or to Chapter 519 – Lodging Houses, depending upon the use selected.
Chrisman added the new property owner would like to utilize the property in a meaningful way and that’s why he wants to be zoned B-1.
Councilman Butler inquired about the number of short-term rentals in the area. Mr. Chrisman stated there are only a few in proximity.
Mr. Pettit stated that he thinks it makes sense due to the activity with Ruffner Plaza and the Greenway.
Mr. Sours inquired how long it had been vacant. Councilman Pettit stated it had been over a year.
Motion: Councilman Pettit motioned the Rezoning 26-001 be approved, with the conditions, as presented. Approved 6-0
Alley Vacation Request (South Alley-portion of)
Town Manager, Bryan Chrisman, requested Council conduct a public hearing to receive comments from the public regarding a requested vacation of the portion of the alley.
Mr. Chrisman stated the alley is designated on GIS as “South Alley” and traverses’ parcels at the eastern end of Virginia Avenue and currently abuts 15 Campbell Street and various other parcels of East Main Street businesses.
The requesting applicant, HUB Development, LLC, will complete the needed steps for Boundary Line Adjustment upon approval by Council. Mayor Lillard opened the hearing. Councilman Sours verified no action was needed on this item. Mayor Lillard stated it would only be discussion at this point in the agenda.
Quit Claim Deed near TM 42A11-A-154A
Town Manager, Bryan Chrisman, requested Council conduct a public hearing to receive comments from the public regarding a requested Quit Claim Deed.
Mr. Chrisman stated they have dealt with similar requests before on Court Street.
Mr. Chrisman stated the deed addresses any potential rights the town may have related to a previously vacated public alley that was adjacent to the town’s parcel 154A.
A copy of the deed is included for review, along with a survey exhibit showing the location. A copy of the recorded deed and exhibit is required to be provided to the Town.
ACTION ITEMS
Street Segments & Utilities Acceptance
Town Manager, Bryan Chrisman, requested Council review, discuss, and take action on accepting certain street segments into the Town maintenance inventory, as well as the utilities contained within those designated rights-of-way.
The street segments to be considered are: Eastern portion of Baker Drive (as shown) Eastern portion of Caterpillar Drive (as shown) Rae Court (with cul-de-sac).
The street segments are located within the Luray Landing Subdivision.
Staff recommend that no on-street parking be considered for these street segments since the street widths were not constructed to allow such parking on either side while maintaining two-way travel routes of sufficient width.
No parking should be allowed within the cul-de-sac to enable emergency vehicles, trash trucks, and school buses, to make their needed turning radii.
The town has received a formal request to accept from the project engineer, but we are awaiting confirmation of the various repair elements needed to be completed for full approval.
These include, but are not limited to, repair or replacement of damaged curbs, gutter pans, sidewalks, water meter setters, missing valve lids, sewer cleanout assemblies, street asphalt connections, or storm water inlet clearing.
The developer is Baker Development, who is making the request.
The builder is D.R. Horton.
Currently, we are awaiting their written certifications as to the completion of the repairs needed, as noted during several town field inspections.
All water mains, and laterals, all sewer mains and laterals, water meters, valves, sewer manholes, sewer cleanouts, and storm water inlets and pipes within the platted rights-of way are also included in this acceptance.
The town can submit the street segments for inclusion in the VDOT Street Maintenance program at any point in 2026, with VDOT review being completed in February/March of 2027, and acceptance being made as of July 1, 2027.
Since these are new streets and elements, the town does not anticipate any significant maintenance needs in the near future.
Several conditions for acceptance should be considered:
1) If any repair, replacement, or modification of items are required by VDOT, or any relevant documentation required by VDOT prior to their acceptance, the Developer and/or their Engineer shall make such repair or submittal at no expense to the Town.
2) Any major elements being accepted by the Town that need repair within one (1) year of Substantial Completion shall be handled by the Developer, at no expense to the Town. Such repairs shall be limited to a default in labor, materials, or methods used by the Developer or their contractors. Substantial Completion is the date of the PE letter.
Motion: Councilman Sours motioned the Street Segments & Utilities be accepted, as presented, conditioned upon receipt and confirmation of acceptable Completion Letters from Baker Development and D.R. Horton. Approved 6-0.
FY27 Budget Ad
Town Manager, Bryan Chrisman, requested Council consider approving the FY27 Budget Ad.
A copy of the draft advertisement is included for Council review.
Mr. Chrisman stated that he would hand over any questions Council may have for Treasurer, Danielle Babb.
The Town plans to use its normal advertisement through Page Valley News.
The draft ad includes the additional $400,000 general fund transfers as discussed in order to fund some of the much-needed CIP items, especially in the Water & Sewer Funds.
Treasurer, Danielle Babb, stated two items with a major increase were
1) proceeds from financing that carry over from existing loans and
2) under expenses, the associated capital improvements.
Mr. Chrisman stated all other items were marked in red ink on page 2 with additional funding in water and sewer.
Mr. Chrisman stated that the draft budget that Council will see on June 8th could be less than the totals tonight.
Mr. Chrisman added that action needs to be taken this evening on the draft ad. Councilman Sours inquired if anyone had issues with interpreting the out-of-town rates.
Mr. Chrisman stated there are other localities that use a different language, but we’ve always used this design.
Ms. Babb also stated the formatting can be revised if that is more easily distinguished between intown and out-of-town rates.
Town Attorney, Jason Botkins stated the language can be re-done. Staff will make the suggested revisions.
Motion: Councilman Dofflemyer motioned the FY27 Budget Ad be approved, as presented. Approved 6-0.
~Recess~
CLOSED SESSION
Discussion about the Performance and Employment of Specific Public Employees, and Consultation with Legal Counsel – Town Attorney
Town Council conducted a Closed Meeting for the discussion of the performance and hiring of specific public employees, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) of the Code of Virginia.
The subject matter of the meeting is specific local government employees.
Also, for consultation with Legal Counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by the Town Attorney, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A) (8) of the Code of Virginia.
The subject matter is legal advice regarding IRF documents related to 15 Campbell Street.
Motion: Councilman Pettit motioned to convene and go into Closed Meeting for discussion of the performance and hiring of specific public employees, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A) (1) of the Code of Virginia.
The subject matter of the meeting is specific local government employees. Also, for consultation with Legal Counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by the Town Attorney, as authorized by Section 2.2-3711 (A) (8) of the Code of Virginia.
The subject matter is legal advice regarding IRF documents related to 15 Campbell Street.
Approved 6-0.
~Closed Meeting~
Motion: Councilman Pettit motioned the closed meeting be adjourned and the Luray Town Council reconvene in open session. Approved 6-0.
Certification: Councilman Pettit asked members of Council with respect to the just-completed closed session and to the best of each member’s knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard discussed or considered in the meeting by the Town Council. Approved 6-0.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Dofflemyer inquired about the Mick or Mack building. He would like to see something done about the maintenance of this property.
Councilman Vickers inquired about the property at one (1) First Street and their high grass. Chief Bow Cook stated they send reminders to the property owners to mow this property.
ADJOURN
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
