[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6322661,"mediaKeyId","2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b","parentId",2347032,"title","Louisa County updates solar siting rules; board removes funding breakdown memo and directs funds to county fund balance","audioSeconds",1404,"startMs",7787000,"endMs",9191000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b&start=7787&end=9191","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b/thumbnail_7787000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322661/Louisa-County/Virginia/Louisa-County-updates-solar-siting-rules-board-removes-funding-breakdown-memo-and-directs-funds-to-county-fund-balance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322661-5bfd1437ec92837de61681c9f6e4d5d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776588422&Signature=iBVisKqaw1l1nLIMDOzDaCoDyp4vGCKaBkYWQ2VyOjM3Gc60MHwGqdubV0Fx6BABM0FqWywDIAYBZl0IMpt7AO1dMtAioT5T2fyKF3~aCpyPK44oN4vx-lg~5lG5jZYaZHfvOlwbBEgvtS~Nsc0S-273z5b~klACGAEkA4VWWOrqgBnAOkviPnmHw~CB1K-pcTAXR8QNq~1QKnUE-7wQ6f4ANMFIf9zJE8EXjbVAygp-p5Bbkaw-A9iohoedMw72~ql-cTp3qHpH3d5p46BqPlg4UlKaU~hvOK3sjqhA4ILtOrrmxJ-HkyLvS8tm-b-ijzR-AytLtCOTgaMNQGDZ3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-19T13:15:51Z","article","The Louisa County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 adopted amendments to Chapter 86 of the county’s Land Development Regulations addressing siting agreements for utility‑scale solar generation facilities, after editing the proposed memorandum on how siting‑agreement revenues might be used.

County staff presented amendments intended to clarify applicability (explicitly referencing utility‑scale solar generation facilities, defined in discussion as projects above a local threshold) and provide a framework for siting agreements that would require project operators to contribute to county mitigation funds. The staff memo included an illustrative allocation example listing potential uses for funds — housing programs, agricultural land protection through purchase of development rights (PDRs), stream restoration, and harmful algal bloom mitigation at Lake Anna — with suggested percentage splits. Staff estimated remaining capacity under the county’s solar cap and offered technical estimates of acres per megawatt used in modeling.

The public hearing drew multiple speakers representing developers, a solar‑policy nonprofit and county residents. Developer Telly Manos urged caution on timing provisions and recommended a five‑year window rather than a shorter administrative timeline, citing lengthy interconnection queue times and the time needed for engineering and regulatory reviews. Skyler Zunk of Energy Rite — a Virginia‑based energy nonprofit — argued against the proposed financial terms, saying the draft payment level greatly exceeded typical project revenues and warned the ordinance could deter development and set a statewide precedent. A Culpeper resident and others described local experiences with erosion and other impacts at nearby projects, arguing for stricter controls.

Board members debated multiple topics: whether to keep the illustrative funding memorandum in the ordinance package, the appropriate time window for a siting agreement to remain valid, whether the county should consider purchase of development rights as a possible use of funds, and concerns that overly prescriptive local rules could draw state action. Several supervisors said they opposed embedding a detailed allocation schedule into the ordinance without more public discussion and analysis. The board amended the draft to: (1) replace the phrase “solar siting agreements” with “utility‑scale solar generation facilities” in the ordinance text to clarify applicability; (2) remove the illustrative memorandum of allocation from the ordinance packet and instead require that any funds realized from siting agreements be deposited to a county fund balance to be spent by future board action; and (3) extend the project commencement/operational timeline to five years (from the draft four years) before a siting agreement would lapse.

After further discussion and a public comment period that included technical and policy critiques, the board voted to adopt the ordinance as amended; the motion passed unanimously. Several supervisors said the removed memorandum and the PDR concept warrant broader, standalone public engagement before the county commits to specific allocation approaches. Staff said that if the county receives siting‑agreement funds, the Board of Supervisors would control future allocations and could return to the matter with a public process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting, February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Louisa County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 adopted revisions to Chapter 86 to clarify siting rules for utility‑scale solar generation facilities and removed a draft funding‑allocation memorandum from the ordinance packet, directing any siting‑agreement revenues to county fund balance instead.","taxTitle","Louisa County, Virginia","taxId",37258,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6322665,"Board approves conditional-use permit for Arcola Towers cell site aimed at closing service gap",843,5717000,6560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b&start=5717&end=6560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b/thumbnail_5717000.jpg","/articles/6322665/Louisa-County/Virginia/Board-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-Arcola-Towers-cell-site-aimed-at-closing-service-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322665-08206526d4a4fa3b99fc3c843c749a6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776588422&Signature=kCeVEf~A7GTJs11pcaTbpFfRKoFYB8qkCEa2HgpmdjSPqL7cnStUTp47BzugreSivsBBRLlwQ8Mp1PF43s-QbqjQ-5mmB4ZJUIAtg-Btvd0HfGriCAJxxiXR53sEUwppl~QwYeoMpQ92hYOoypdEBqO3ScK22SBu53VJi5ipNWY9qzxdpYQcQjWNTCjlxwHRjg3xRSE1mvF-UkrSfZrw80TzGcJVCvzNn9rUsYLcUz8vsBxvgcNUkAiuZjacnoQL4UW3kkvWJ~FpmCd3qlyA8GtToV8n-IHJ2O48vSDnSWxDAGhVW5Th8xPE93zcLen0V3UMIkoJgf0a12eBKB5yYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Louisa County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 approved a conditional‑use permit for a monopole wireless communications tower on Charles Lane intended to improve Verizon Wireless coverage in the area between the Ferncliff and Louisa growth areas.

Tom Eglin Jr., deputy director of the county’s Community Development Department, presented the application for CUP2024‑08, describing the site as a proposed monopole telecommunications tower and summarizing staff materials: the county comprehensive plan designation, a letter of intent from Verizon, the planning commission recommendation for approval with 21 conditions, and a county consultant recommendation contingent on the completion of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. Eglin said a NEPA study was in process.

Jonathan Yates, representing Arcola Towers, told the board the facility would be a monopole designed for Verizon with space for three additional broadband carriers. He said the site was selected to reduce a “deficit” or coverage gap along Courthouse Road and nearby neighborhoods; the company had FAA and State Historic Preservation Office reviews showing no hazard and no effect on historic resources. Arcola Towers representatives said tower erection would be rapid once permits and regulatory clearances were complete and that Verizon had committed to locating on the tower.

Board members asked about timing and enforcement of completion. Staff pointed to a condition in the planning commission’s set requiring the facility to become operational within two years of approval, with one administrative one‑year extension permitted if needed; board members noted this condition addressed prior situations in which permits were approved but towers stood unbuilt for many years.

After no public speakers at the hearing, the board voted to approve CUP2024‑08. The motion carried unanimously.

Staff noted remaining steps before construction — final site plan, building permits, and completion of the NEPA review — and said the applicant would need to satisfy those before the county issues permits and the tower becomes operational.","The Louisa County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 approved a conditional‑use permit for a monopole wireless communications tower on Charles Lane intended to improve Verizon Wireless coverage between the Ferncliff and Louisa growth areas.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6322669,"Louisa County amends animal code to tighten ‘dogs at large’ rules, adds warning step",1717,3991000,5708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b&start=3991&end=5708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b/thumbnail_3991000.jpg","/articles/6322669/Louisa-County/Virginia/Louisa-County-amends-animal-code-to-tighten-dogs-at-large-rules-adds-warning-step","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322669-ed89bf54155995bd49f687d387a07682/orig.mp4?Expires=1776588422&Signature=ORnrF~HsP3vl00CN4kGeIB584aC3aKpAgxn6b80kb24K9zlq5w0hzKYrSJQMaLbmwqAGSfS-F0tsry-4HXsO2GIwLGVa1refJCSiZ4Iwv7AMmm6kXAoUVGSine9FN6clUGo9PF-0GFxvG30FXpLkHk6WhJj~qBKY-jeD5RLYy6RerB4YGmVApRmJiTFGJSzcKXaZZ6GMYSqhZ3Y3HHqOAlkziPair0S7P--U6~ZY7FwFmgTfCor~bM3g2Itqv5DTuVg9zfVZxhI2HPhX7OjfpWCCGJYFNIjoTtxjOod62uE~nbv2i9JTG379c0x1ZdVZgCJCstmZLLLlDkutkDsG6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Louisa County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 adopted changes to Chapter 14 of the county code aimed at clarifying enforcement of dogs running at large and expanding impoundment authority for animals other than dogs or cats.

The change makes it unlawful for a dog owner to place a dog in the custody of a person “not physically capable of maintaining effective control” and establishes graduated criminal penalties for repeat violations. The board also amended the draft during the meeting to allow an officer to issue a written warning for a first violation where a warning is more suitable.

County staff presenting the amendment said the draft revises section 14‑28 to define a dog running at large and to make enforcement consistent across magistrates and animal control. The ordinance sets a class 4 misdemeanor for a first offense (a citation-level offense with a $250 fine), a class 2 misdemeanor for a second violation within one year of a prior conviction, and a class 1 misdemeanor for a third or subsequent violation within two years of a second or later conviction. A separate proposed change to section 14.3 clarifies that any animal other than a dog, cat or wild animal found running at large may be impounded and disposed of under the same terms used for companion animals.

During the public hearing, Jackson District resident Amy Weyer described repeated incidents on her properties — including a fall requiring medical attention and repeated property damage — and urged the county to make impoundment for habitually roaming animals mandatory rather than discretionary. Board members debated whether the code should say “may” or “shall” regarding impoundment, noting practical constraints such as shelter capacity and the cost of rounding up large animals. Several supervisors said the ordinance aims to balance enforcement against the realities of remote incidents and large animals that require different handling.

Board members also discussed the role of photographic and video evidence and whether an officer must personally observe an incident before enforcement. Staff said photos or video submitted by residents can be part of an investigation and that in some cases a magistrate can issue a warrant based on citizen-supplied evidence.

After discussion, a supervisor moved to amend the draft so that, “where a warning notice is more suitable given the circumstances, a notice of warning may be issued for the first violation.” The amendment was seconded and the board voted to adopt the ordinance with that change; the motion passed unanimously.

The board noted that state law already exempts hunting and working farm dogs from running-at-large enforcement if they are under the owner’s immediate control during hunting or farming activity, language preserved in the revised ordinance. Staff also told the board they will continue to monitor shelter capacity and related operational issues.

The ordinance takes effect according to the code’s standard adoption process; staff did not specify an effective date during the meeting.","The Louisa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Feb. 18 to amend Chapter 14 of the county code to clarify when dogs are ‘running at large,’ create graduated misdemeanor penalties for repeat violations, and expand impoundment language for non‑companion animals; the board added an amendment allowing a warning notice for first offenses.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6322656,"Board authorizes transfer of Shannon Hill Regional Business Park to Industrial Development Authority to speed marketing",323,9210000,9533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b&start=9210&end=9533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347032-9d96ca15a1f53bacd767fac682e8402b/thumbnail_9210000.jpg","/articles/6322656/Louisa-County/Virginia/Board-authorizes-transfer-of-Shannon-Hill-Regional-Business-Park-to-Industrial-Development-Authority-to-speed-marketing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322656-0fdfbc22f204e440b1545ad6d288a71c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776588422&Signature=e~Cdl7639PYnBSJYAc34MkdRGY-QA7U-QLdy8X21jFTCG8q~NN3QleQzwgVHG41iXwHpABBHw0pmOWbOSxZysBG7b5Q7fmwVOVhpd22Ma9wo~kWCBTDyEW4Hhwqd6BDIamGFLFB-Cm3V7D9EMjGaWhNfzjm0IgGwp-4l2u0GQshERPHwNYK0PT9E9~I~LogsUrz-a2mvZYsl2rMU07BEhZKctUnj~Y0w22F9pOSy3jY54IVdjqZ~D12lG-Sr2TXEOmbpMOibPFd1lP57Nv~oF-c-V9f5v34tCjOcKvpnHckoyh2TxkxqQNIJf7CuYcf9rbEcmOpUCz1pn93W2njzbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Louisa County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 18 authorized the county to transfer ownership of the Shannon Hill Regional Business Park to the county Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to improve the county’s ability to market the site and close deals with commercial and industrial prospects.

County staff explained state code requires a public hearing before disposing of real property and that the IDA structure gives the locality tools — including flexibility and certain powers under state law — that the county alone does not have when it needs to act quickly to land industrial or commercial tenants. Staff said recent utility construction work at the park (a linear utilities project and a nearly complete water tank) has improved the site’s readiness, and that the IDA’s ownership of similar properties has been used elsewhere in the county to accelerate recruitment.

Under the approach described by staff, any prospective buyer proposing uses not already approved in the 2019 entitlements process would still need planning commission and board approvals. Staff also said revenue from any land sales under the IDA’s ownership would revert to the county. The IDA planned to consider accepting the transfer at an upcoming meeting; if the IDA accepts, staff would execute required transfer documents and keep the board informed.

No public speakers addressed the item. The board voted unanimously to authorize the disposition and to direct staff to proceed with the necessary documentation.","Louisa County supervisors voted unanimously to transfer ownership of the Shannon (Shannon/Shannon Hill) Regional Business Park to the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) so the IDA can market and close deals more quickly; proceeds from any land sales by the IDA will revert to the county.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Louisa County updates solar siting rules; board removes funding breakdown memo and directs funds to county fund balance

Board approves conditional-use permit for Arcola Towers cell site aimed at closing service gap

Louisa County amends animal code to tighten ‘dogs at large’ rules, adds warning step

Board authorizes transfer of Shannon Hill Regional Business Park to Industrial Development Authority to speed marketing