Charlotte County panel finds Tall Pines Solar substantially in accord with comprehensive plan

The Charlotte County Planning Commission voted Sept. 28 to find Tall Pines Solar’s proposed 218‑megawatt photovoltaic facility substantially in accord with the county comprehensive plan, forwarding the commission’s finding to the Board of Supervisors for the next stage of review.

Darren Coffey of The Berkley Group summarized the county staff report and told commissioners the 2232 review must be guided by comprehensive‑plan goals. "The role of the 2232 review was to determine compliance with the comprehensive plan," Chairman Andrew Carwile said during the discussion, noting that a separate conditional‑use permit review would still be required if the project moved forward.

Commission discussion touched on state energy goals, recent increases in forested acreage and the commission’s interest in economic diversification. Commissioner Eugene Wells moved to find the project substantially in accord; Commissioner Cornell Goldman seconded. The motion listed zoning, distance from town boundaries, minimal expected county service needs, and the project’s production of alternative energy among the stated reasons for the finding. The motion carried with all members present voting yes.

The commission’s action on the 2232 review does not itself grant a conditional‑use permit. Staff and the project reviewer urged that specific mitigation measures, buffers and permit conditions be defined during any subsequent conditional‑use permitting process to address wetlands protection, setbacks and impacts to adjacent landowners.

Next steps: the commission directed the secretary to convey the finding to the Board of Supervisors; any conditional‑use permitting and detailed site plans would be considered later in the county review process.