Planning commission recommends King George approval for Daisy Lane community solar with conditions

The King George County Planning Commission on a unanimous vote recommended the Board of Supervisors approve Davis Hill Development’s special-exception application (Z2024-00219) for the Daisy Lane community solar farm, subject to conditions including Pollinator Smart certification managed by a qualified professional and explicit adherence to the county noise ordinance.

The project proponent, Will Thurman of Davis Hill Development, told the commission the Daisy Lane site would host a 2.7-megawatt AC community solar array on about 12 acres of an 83-acre parcel, with 6,448 modules and an offer of 30% of the energy for low- and moderate-income subscribers. Thurman described construction as a six- to eight-month activity and said the developer would fund interconnection upgrades with Dominion Energy and provide a county-required decommissioning plan and bond.

Commissioners said they wanted clearer commitments on the project’s pollinator plan and on noise compliance. Commissioner Flattery moved that the planning commission forward the application with the condition that the Pollinator Smart program be managed by a qualified professional and that the project “shall abide by the King George County noise ordinance.” Commissioner Kendrick seconded the motion. At roll call the motion carried; those recorded voting in favor included Parker, Decorta, Palavoda, Kendrick, Maffet, Flatley, Myers, Nicely and Williams.

Thurman answered questions from commissioners about several topics the commission and public had raised at an earlier hearing. He said the developer would use a third-party firm to prepare and implement the Pollinator Smart seed mix and habitat, and that planting could be compatible with limited sheep grazing. On noise, Thurman cited inverter specifications showing a maximum inverter noise emission of 69 decibels at source and estimated that the closest 50-foot setback would reduce that to about 45 decibels at the property line, roughly “a quiet conversation at home.”

Thurman also told the commission the interconnection upgrades would be privately funded by the applicant through Dominion Energy, and that condition 17 in the draft permit requires a construction traffic-management plan and pre- and post-construction road surveys so the applicant would be responsible for any necessary public-road repairs.

Commission discussion ranged from support for community-scale solar and tax revenue to questions about whether the site might be more valuable for housing. Commissioners who supported the motion said the proposal was consistent with earlier, similar projects and noted the parcel’s wooded buffer would limit visual impacts. Commissioner Nysley asked whether the applicant would explicitly agree to comply with the county noise ordinance; Thurman agreed to add that to the conditions.

The planning commission’s favorable recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors for a final decision under the county’s rezoning and special-exception procedures.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Forward application Z2024-00219 (Daisy Lane solar special exception) to the King George Board of Supervisors with a favorable recommendation and the conditions that (a) Pollinator Smart certification be managed by a qualified professional and (b) the project abide by the King George County noise ordinance. - Mover: Flattery (Planning Commission member) - Second: Kendrick (Planning Commission member) - Vote record (as read into the record): Parker — Aye; Decorta — Aye; Palavoda — Yes; Kendrick — Aye; Maffet — Aye; Flatley — Aye; Myers — Aye; Nicely — Aye; Williams — Aye - Tally: Yes 9, No 0, Abstain 0 - Outcome: approved (recommendation to Board of Supervisors)

What’s next

The project will appear before the King George Board of Supervisors, where the final rezoning and permit decisions will be made. The applicant will provide the final, written proffers and the construction/traffic mitigation and decommissioning details required by county staff before building permits are issued.