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Staff previews zoning ordinance amendments on battery energy storage systems and Chesapeake Bay requirements; public hearing expected later
Summary
County staff briefed the commission on draft ordinance language to regulate battery energy storage systems and to add state-mandated Chesapeake Bay resilience standards; staff will present formal draft language in November and seek public hearings then.
County planning staff used the Sept. 10 meeting to introduce two forthcoming zoning ordinance amendments: rules to regulate battery energy storage systems (BESS) and revisions to implement state-mandated Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CBPA) resilience standards.
Deputy County Administrator Lee Pandit told the commission the Board of Supervisors has initiated both ordinance changes. On BESS, Pandit said the county has received several inquiries and one prior rezoning last year generated substantial neighborhood opposition; that applicant withdrew its rezoning prior to the public hearing but later retained entitlements and is entering construction. "What that highlighted was the need for better regulation," Pandit said.
Staff said draft language is being prepared with assistance from the county attorney and that the earliest staff would present a complete draft and request a public hearing would be in November. The staff memo will address technical topics the commission asked about previously, including noise and vibration, light and visual impacts, hazardous-materials/fire safety and coordination with volunteer fire departments.
The CBPA-related amendment is described by staff as primarily a housekeeping action to implement recent state law changes that require resilience standards in local ordinances. Staff said the language will largely mirror state code and that the county attorney is coordinating the draft.
Pandit said both items will return for fuller presentations in November; staff will include written briefings in the October packet so commissioners have advance material for review.
