Residents, planners urge retaining special-exception review as county revisits solar ordinance

A broad group of residents, technical experts and planning commissioners urged Washington County officials on Feb. 11 to retain protections in the county's solar ordinance, including a special-exception (special use) review, slope restrictions, decommissioning surety bonds and setbacks, saying recent proposed edits would weaken local oversight.

Speakers at the meeting's public-comment period included residents who said they oppose large-scale solar installations in agricultural and residential areas, and technical experts who urged the county to preserve engineering and viewshed safeguards. Planning Commission members and several supervisors discussed those concerns and agreed the commission should hold a workshop and recommend revisions before the Board of Supervisors takes action.

The most substantive public comments came from William Bish of Windale Road, who criticized proposed changes that would allow solar projects of 8.5 acres as a by-right use and said the draft ordinance removes slope limits, decommissioning bonds and other protections. "I think the 1 acre is appropriate," Bish said, arguing the board should require larger proposals to return for review.

Other resid…