Council approves two-year extension for Wilroy Road solar project after interconnection delays

Suffolk City Council approved an ordinance extending a conditional use permit for a solar energy facility on Wilroy Road, granting the applicant an additional two years to establish the project because of delays negotiating an interconnection agreement with Dominion Energy.

Planning Director Kevin Wine summarized the item's background: the permit (CUP 2024-29) covers a 19.5-acre site adjacent to a chemical manufacturing plant and was originally approved March 15, 2023 for a two-year period. The applicant requested an extension after ongoing interconnection discussions with Dominion delayed construction and final design. Wine said council may grant an extension "not to exceed the original period of validity," and staff recommended approval to extend the permit so the facility must be established on the property by March 15, 2027.

The project is proposed as a roughly 3-megawatt facility. An applicant representative, Rachel Boots, addressed the council during the agenda-speaker period and said the developer is working with Dominion on upgrades and design needed to interconnect to the Crittenden Substation.

Council member Williams moved approval of the ordinance; Council member Rector seconded. Council member Johnson said he had changed his view and stated opposition, and Council member Bennett also voted against the extension. After roll call, the ordinance passed 5-2.

Why it matters: The extension preserves the applicant's zoning approval while the interconnection is finalized; it delays the deadline by which construction must begin to maintain the approved conditional use.

The motion passed with a roll-call vote recorded on the public record.