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Board approves Edwards Solar special‑use permit with conditions after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and planning commission recommendation, supervisors approved a special‑use permit for a 5‑megawatt Edwards Solar project with multiple conditions covering buffers, stormwater, decommissioning and public notifications.
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors approved a special‑use permit (SUP) for the Edwards Solar project, a proposed 5‑megawatt distributed generation facility, following a planning commission recommendation and a public hearing at which property owners and the developer spoke in favor.
Planning staff outlined the application: the project would occupy approximately 38 acres of a 109‑acre tract with about 25 acres under photovoltaic panels, leave roughly 84 acres as open forest and pasture, and connect to the Appalachian Power distribution circuit near Jacks Creek Road. The applicant said there will be no battery storage at the site. Planning staff said the application met county ordinance standards and the planning commission unanimously recommended approval with 35 conditions addressing setbacks, vegetation screening, site‑plan review, stormwater and erosion control, bonding, and a decommissioning plan.
Developer representatives from CEP Solar said the property owners are local Franklin County residents who are leasing the land and that the site is naturally buffered by dense vegetation. They emphasized registration of a decommissioning bond and periodic third‑party reviews to ensure sufficient decommissioning funding over the project’s life. Landowners present told the board they support the project and said the land is not expected to return to agricultural production.
After discussion the board approved the SUP by roll-call vote. Two supervisors voted no; the rest voted in favor. The vote followed the planning commission’s unanimous recommendation and incorporates the conditions recommended by staff and the commission; the project will proceed to site‑plan and permitting steps required by county and state agencies.
Details to follow during site plan review include final panel specifications, erosion‑and‑sediment control designs, any required agency permits (DEQ, Army Corps if wetlands/streams are affected), and the decommissioning cost estimate and bond. The applicant and staff said they will work with the fire department and pipeline operator on emergency access plans for operations near the Mountain Valley Pipeline right‑of‑way.
