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Patrick County amends comprehensive plan to prohibit utility-scale solar facilities
Summary
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted to amend the county comprehensive plan to deem utility-scale solar facilities incompatible with the county's rural character and not substantially in accord with the plan, effectively prohibiting such projects from being approved under the referenced state code review process.
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt amendments to the county comprehensive plan declaring utility-scale solar facilities an inappropriate land use and directing that proposed utility-scale projects be deemed not substantially in accord with the comprehensive plan.
County staff read the proposed amendment aloud at the start of the public hearing, saying in part that "utility-scale solar facilities can have a significant impact on the landscape, wetland, soil, view sheds, and other natural and cultural resources located within the county, and are generally incompatible with the rural character and land uses traditionally found within the county." The draft limits the policy to utility-scale facilities and exempts accessory solar tied to on-site industrial, agricultural, residential or commercial uses where generated electricity is principally used on-site or net-metered for off-site use.
The staff reading referenced review under state code (noted in the amendment as 15.2-2232). No members of the public signed up to speak during the hearing, and the board closed the public hearing before taking action.
A motion was made to adopt the comprehensive plan amendments; the motion received a second and the board voted. Recorded votes were: Supervisor Marshall — yes; Supervisor Kendrick — yes; Supervisor Perry — no; Supervisor Overby — yes; and one additional aye recorded by the presiding member. The tally on the motion was four in favor, one opposed, and the motion carried.
The adopted language specifies that utility-scale solar facilities "are not considered to be an appropriate land use in the county, and proposed facilities shall be deemed as not being substantially in accordance with the comprehensive plan with respect to review under 15.2-2232, the Code of Virginia." The amendment also clarifies it does not apply to accessory solar installations that serve on-site energy needs or are net-metered as described in the adopted text.
The board did not provide additional implementation details or an effective date during the meeting. The amendment will govern determinations of substantial accord for future land-use review under the cited Virginia code section and will inform staff and applicants about the county's stated policy position on utility-scale solar projects.
