Planning commission pulls proposed solar ordinance, requests joint workshop with Board of Supervisors

The Washington County Planning Commission voted unanimously to remove a proposed solar ordinance from the meeting agenda and request a joint workshop with the Board of Supervisors before the board’s next meeting, the commission announced during its Jan. 27, 2025, session.

Commissioners moved to pull the ordinance after members said the proposed draft differed substantially from the existing ordinance and needed additional review with the board. The commission also voted to recess and reconvene on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. for a hoped-for joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors.

The action came after commissioners said they had expected only minor edits but, upon reading the draft, found larger changes. A commissioner asked whether the change could proceed after a public hearing had already been advertised; staff reported the county attorney and county administrator indicated the proposed handling would satisfy advertising requirements.

During the public-comment period, Gary Hurrell, owner of Elevation Energy, told the commission he is starting construction on a commercial-scale agricultural energy project in the county and urged planners to allow larger by‑right solar parcels. “3 megawatts typically equates to an 8 acre, 8 and a half acre size,” Hurrell said, linking that acreage to Appalachian Power’s 3‑megawatt limit for net‑metering customers. He said his firm helped develop the Green Valley microgrid and described the Washington County project as a roughly 3‑megawatt installation that will include batteries and could later add a natural‑gas backup generator. Hurrell also said the project would save the owner about $5,000,000 over the life of the installation.

Commissioners said they want public input on the ordinance and invited anyone who came to speak on the solar item to comment at the meeting before the commission recessed.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to remove the proposed solar ordinance from tonight’s agenda and request a joint workshop with the Board of Supervisors before the board’s next meeting; recess until Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Motion and second recorded; outcome: approved unanimously (motion text and mover/second not specified in the record).

- Approval of minutes from the Nov. 25, 2024, regular meeting. Motion carried; two abstentions were recorded (Kathy Freeman and Miss Lubbock).

- Election of Christina Rufus as chairperson for 2025. Motion carried; elected unanimously.

- Election of Commissioner Wagner as vice chairman for 2025. Motion carried; elected unanimously.

- Adoption of the 2025 proposed Planning Commission bylaws. Motion carried; outcome unanimous.

Why it matters

The commission’s decision to pull the ordinance and ask for a joint workshop delays any immediate change to local rules governing solar installations and signals that commissioners want the Board of Supervisors’ input before amending the county code. That matters for developers, utilities and property owners seeking clarity about what sizes and equipment will be allowed by right.

What was said

Gary Hurrell, owner of Elevation Energy, described a near-term, commercial 3‑megawatt solar project in Washington County and asked the commission to consider allowing larger by‑right parcels (about 8.5 acres) to match Appalachian Power’s net‑metering threshold: “3 megawatts typically equates to an 8 acre, 8 and a half acre size.” He said the project will include batteries and could later have a natural‑gas backup generator and that the installation would save roughly $5,000,000 over its life.

Other business

The commission approved routine items including minutes and bylaws, and elected Christina Rufus as chair and Commissioner Wagner as vice chair for 2025. Several commissioners welcomed Kathy Freeman as a new commission member. A separate public comment urged greater resident participation in emergency communications via amateur radio.

Next steps

The commission recessed and will reconvene Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m., with the stated goal of holding a joint workshop with the Board of Supervisors to review the proposed solar ordinance and the commission’s marked-up copy.