County adopts construction traffic plan; Long Road Energy says 7 Bridges will use a second entrance to reduce impacts

Mecklenburg County's planning commission voted to adopt a Construction Traffic Management Plan that requires developers to submit construction traffic plans when projects will use secondary roads and to repair any damage caused by heavy construction.

Cliff Shire, senior developer at Long Road Energy, told the commission his company supports the plan and that the 7 Bridges solar project includes a second construction entrance on the western side of the site to reduce deliveries and impacts to Scott's Crossroads. Shire said his company has worked with the county on the 7 Bridges project since 2017.

County staff explained that secondary roads are not built for heavy commercial traffic, and under the plan developers will have to propose routes, have those routes reviewed (including by the Virginia Department of Transportation where applicable) and accept responsibility to repair roads they damage rather than the county using public funds. The commission recorded that VDOT review and acceptance will be required before construction permits are issued.

Commission discussion noted the plan applies not only to solar projects but to commercial sites generally, and that the plan covers construction activities including borrow sites and spoil areas. The motion to accept the plan was carried by voice vote.

The commission directed zoning staff to require submission and review of construction traffic plans and to ensure VDOT acceptance when applicable prior to permit issuance.