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Public commenter warns state bills could restrict local land‑use authority on solar development; board reaffirms support for local control
Summary
During citizen comments, David Tucker urged the Board to oppose state bills he said would preempt local control of siting utility‑scale solar projects. Board members cited Isle of Wight County and Virginia Association of Counties positions opposing legislation that would curtail local land‑use authority.
At the start of the meeting, David Tucker of District 3 used the citizen comment period to urge the board to resist state legislation he said would strip local land‑use authority for utility‑scale solar projects.
Tucker referenced House Bill 2126 and related bills he said were drafted in response to utility‑scale developers and participants at the State Corporation Commission. “Please don't be surprised,” he told the board, arguing that the proposed legislation would create a state review board and give developers docketed priority in appeals, which, in his view, would weaken local control over land‑use decisions for solar facilities.
Several supervisors responded in the public meeting. Supervisor Acree noted that the county has historically opposed state bills that undermine local authority and that the Virginia Association of Counties (VACO), where he serves as region director and another supervisor serves as president‑elect, maintains a strong position against legislation that would strip local land‑use authority. Supervisor McCarty and others also said they were prepared to defend the county’s authority.
Staff and supervisors framed the comments as part of ongoing legislative tracking: board members said they and county representatives would follow bills in the General Assembly and coordinate with regional partners, including VACO and the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, on related positions.
Ending: The board closed citizen comments after brief discussion and indicated it would continue tracking the legislation through staff and regional associations.
