Two proposed solar site agreements split board 3-3; motions fail after neighbors raise buffer, drainage concerns

The Henry County Board of Supervisors deadlocked on Aug. 26 over siting agreements for two solar projects in the Ridgeway district, voting 3-3 on motions to approve each agreement; under county practice, a tie vote caused both motions to fail.

County staff said Firebird Solar LLC proposed installment payments totaling $75,000 if the site is fully developed; the agreement was advertised in the local newspaper as required by state law. Developer representatives said their company had obtained land-use approvals and expected to develop the site but that some construction details — including access and interconnection locations — had been the subject of private negotiations with property owners and a local church.

Ed Sweitzer, a developer representative with Catalyze, said his firm is a fully integrated renewable-energy company and that the project team had…