Daisy Hill solar project draws public concern over easements, drainage and visibility; supervisors defer decision
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Summary
A developer seeking a special-exception permit for a 2.7 MW, 12-acre solar array on Daisy Lane faced questions from neighbors on June 3 about access easements, downstream runoff and winter visibility; the board deferred action until July 1 to allow title and stormwater questions to be resolved.
The King George Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on June 3 for a special-exception permit filed by Davis Hill Development to build a 2.7-megawatt community solar array on a roughly 83-acre parcel accessed from Daisy Lane. Developers said the project would occupy about 12 acres, use screened perimeter setbacks and provide discounted "community solar" subscriptions to county electric customers. The planning commission had recommended approval by an 8-1 vote.
Public speakers raised three recurring concerns: (1) whether a legal access easement (Daisy Lane, a narrow gravel road) exists across neighboring property, (2) whether conversion of the site to solar will increase stormwater runoff along local draws and Peppermill Creek and potentially flood downstream properties including a private shooting facility, and (3) the visual impact when deciduous screening loses leaf cover in winter and the extent to which winter visual simulations had been provided.
The applicant's team said the site was selected to minimize visibility and said it has long-term lease rights on the primary parcel; they provided visual simulations and engineering plans and said they will fund all required interconnection upgrades. Counsel for the applicant said the developers had performed title and deed research showing historic access rights and asked the board either to approve the permit or defer to allow the developer and neighbors to resolve the narrow access/easement questions.
Board action and next steps
At the hearing's conclusion the developer agreed to a deferral and the board set the matter for further consideration at its first July meeting (July 1, 2025). County staff and the developer committed to exchange additional documents: the developer to make available title/easement research and the county to ensure DEQ and stormwater review details are completed during site-plan review if the special exception ultimately proceeds. The applicant also asked for a short rebuttal opportunity when the matter is next considered.
Why this matters
Community solar projects can bring local tax revenue and subscription discounts for customers, but they also raise local concerns about land-use conversions, off-site drainage effects and long-term decommissioning. Neighbors emphasized the narrow, unpaved access road and possible impacts on downstream property; the developer emphasized screening, funding for interconnection upgrades and the project's community benefits.
Speakers quoted
"We are confident the right-of-way exists going back to deeds in 1912, but if the board prefers, we can delay so the title issues are entirely resolved," said Andy Brownstein, counsel for the applicant.
"We're concerned about additional rainwater; that property is higher and the lower parts of our range already flood. We need assurances this project will not add runoff onto our land," said Pete Waltman, president, Northern Virginia Shooting Facility.
Ending
The board deferred vote until its meeting on July 1, allowing time for the developer to supply additional title evidence and for staff to collate stormwater and DEQ-review materials for the public record. The deferral preserves the applicant's standing while giving neighbors time to secure clarifications they said were missing at the hearing.
