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Commission starts drafting rules for community and small‑scale solar, seeks limits on siting and scale
Summary
At a work session the commission signaled support for classifying small‑scale/community solar as utility but under 5 MW, discussed a 30‑acre array cap, 100‑foot buffers, and measures to limit proliferation such as spacing or caps per radius.
Fauquier County commissioners used a work session to guide staff on a text amendment that would create a distinct regulatory path for community and small‑scale solar projects (generally 5 MW and under).
Staff said the current ordinance treats solar as utility scale tied to transmission. The suggested edits would add the word “distribution” in key places to allow projects that tie to distribution lines and would define smaller projects as a separate class. Commissioners debated whether to limit array acreage (staff suggested 30 acres), how far arrays must be from major collectors or transmission, whether to require screening and pollinator seed mixes, and whether to confine community projects to particular zoning districts (RA, I‑2 and BP were discussed).
Commissioners expressed strong concern about unchecked proliferation in rural areas and suggested a mix of geographic and numeric limits — for example, a cap on acres per 2.5‑mile radius or a maximum number of projects per county — combined with strict screening, setback and studies (viewshed, fiscal, wetland and cultural resource assessments). Several commissioners emphasized keeping utility‑scale solar and community/small‑scale solar separate for clarity.
Staff will draft an initial ordinance and maps showing conservation easements and likely candidate parcels for the next session.
