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Planning commission continues solar facility study, flags ordinance issues and bonding requirement
Summary
Lunenburg County commissioners continued review of a Solar Facility Study on Sept. 7, 2023, identifying items for an ordinance update — acreage coverage, setbacks, decommissioning, buffers and density — and discussing a possible developer performance bond to ensure reclamation or compliance.
The Lunenburg County Planning Commission on Sept. 7, 2023 continued its review of a Solar Facility Study and a proposed update to the county solar ordinance, listing several substantive items for further consideration.
Chairman James Tharpe outlined a non‑exhaustive set of topics the commission should review, including comprehensive plan considerations (loss of agricultural land, protection of water resources, and solar policies) and specific ordinance provisions such as acreage coverage, project area definitions, fees, a draft decommissioning and reclamation plan, setbacks, vegetative buffers, and density. The packet included an electronic copy of a draft ordinance for commissioners to review.
Commissioner Harry C. Garrett said he had reviewed materials from neighboring localities but did not find much transferable guidance, and Commissioner Tony Trent said the commission needed more time to study the issues. County Attorney Drew DiStanislao described how a performance bond requirement could work: a bond would provide a financial mechanism the county could call on if a developer or project owner failed to meet reclamation or other obligations.
No timeline was set for completion of the study or ordinance revision. The commission asked staff to continue providing materials and indicated further discussion at future meetings.
