Levy Court rezones 30 acres to allow community solar project; owners cite long family ownership

Kent County Levy Court on Oct. 28 approved Ordinance LC 25‑22 to rezone about 30.22 acres and amend the comprehensive‑plan map to low‑density residential to enable future development that the property owners said would most likely be a community solar facility.

Vice President Scott presented the ordinance; regional planning staff said the subject parcel is inside the growth zone on the west side of South State Street near Walnut Shade Road and that the RPC unanimously recommended approval because the character of the area already includes a mix of uses and the requested low‑density designation is compatible with neighboring land uses. The proposal rezoned a portion of a larger parcel from RMH (residential manufactured home) and BG (general business) to AC (agricultural conservation) while retaining RMH on the part not included in the rezoning.

Engineer Mike Ryman and applicant representatives from Soltage described the site selection rationale: proximity to Delmarva Power infrastructure and large, relatively undeveloped acreage owned by Michael and Allison Richards, who said they have owned parts of the original farm for decades. The Richards family told commissioners they do not intend to develop the parcel as a manufactured‑home park and see community solar as an income option for heirs. Soltage representatives said the company has prior experience in Delaware community solar projects.

Commissioners discussed staff concerns that rezoning could reduce developable land for housing but several members said traffic congestion on South State Street and at Rising Sun Road made solar preferable to higher‑traffic development. Vice President Scott moved to approve the ordinance, which passed by roll call: seven ayes and zero nays. Final site design and any community‑solar permitting will be subject to later applications and county reviews; RPC and state PLUS comments were included in the record.