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Charlotte County Planning Commission elects 2021 officers, hears public concerns about solar siting and buffers
Summary
At its Jan. 26 meeting the Charlotte County Planning Commission elected officers for 2021, adopted meeting rules and schedule, and heard public comments urging earlier notification and 100-foot buffers for solar projects; staff reported delays on one conditional-use hearing, three new small solar applications, and an upcoming Courthouse Solar siting and revenue-sharing hearing.
Assistant County Administrator Monica Elder called the Charlotte County Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Charlotte County Administration Office; Commissioner Cornell Goldman gave the invocation.
The commission completed annual organization business. Commissioner David Watkins moved to approve the agenda, a motion seconded by Andrew Carwile and approved by all members present. Deborah Haskins nominated Andrew Carwile for chair; the nomination was seconded by Cornell Goldman and carried unanimously. Haskins also moved to elect Cornell Goldman as first vice-chair (seconded by Eugene Wells) and to elect Eugene Wells as second vice-chair (seconded by Gladys Reid); both motions passed with all members present voting yes. David Watkins moved to appoint Assistant County Administrator Monica Elder as secretary; that motion was seconded by Cornell Goldman and adopted.
The commission adopted Robert’s Rules of Order for Small Groups, amended to require a second for all motions and to allow the chair or a majority of members to solicit limited input from non-members during orderly discussion of agenda items; Gladys Reid moved the change, which passed unanimously. The commission set its regular meeting date as the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Charlotte County Administration Office, with meetings beginning at 7:30 p.m. during daylight saving time and 7:00 p.m. otherwise, and approved the Dec. 15, 2020 minutes as presented.
During public comment, resident P.K. Pettus urged early public notification for proposed solar projects and cited King William County’s requirement that solar applicants advertise and hold a public meeting to inform neighbors. Pettus said she supported the 100-foot buffer granted for the Quarrier property in the Courthouse Solar conditions but asked that the Early property receive the same 100-foot buffer. She also raised concerns about erosion and sediment control problems at the Grasshopper solar site in Mecklenburg County and asked about Charlotte County’s ability to address similar erosion issues.
Commissioners discussed the advantages and timing of requiring applicants to hold public meetings, noting that prior solar applicants had held outreach meetings. Commissioners requested that staff provide examples of zoning regulations that require these types of public meetings.
Staff provided project updates. The public hearing for the Kunath conditional-use permit was delayed to allow additional time for the landowner to complete land acquisition. Staff said three additional solar applications for projects under five megawatts had been submitted but were incomplete and applicants were working to address deficiencies. Staff also reported that the Board of Supervisors reviewed revenue options for the Courthouse Solar project on Jan. 25; staff will advertise a hearing for a siting agreement and an ordinance related to revenue sharing for solar.
On the comprehensive plan update, staff said the county needs to start the review process and is discussing hiring a consultant. Because consultant funding must be included in the budget, staff estimated a contract could not be awarded before July unless funding arrangements change.
Clark Poindexter moved to adjourn at the meeting’s close; Eugene Wells seconded and the motion carried.
