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Charlotte County planning commission tables decision on solar-density recommendation
Summary
County staff proposed a tiered solar-density cap that would allocate about 4% of county land to utility-scale projects; the Planning Commission by consensus postponed a final recommendation to the Sept. 21 work session for further review.
County Administrator Dan Witt urged the Charlotte County Planning Commission on Aug. 17 to provide a single recommendation on solar density for the county’s draft comprehensive plan, saying the Board of Supervisors wanted a specific number rather than a broad range.
Witt presented a tiered example using a 4 percent total-land-area target: reserving about 3 percent for projects of 100 megawatts (MW) or larger, 0.75 percent for projects greater than 5 MW and under 100 MW, and 0.25 percent for projects of 5 MW or less. He framed the figures as an example tied to the county’s existing definition of solar density rather than a finalized policy.
The commission did not adopt a figure. After discussion, commissioners agreed by consensus to table the matter and asked staff and CRC planners to prepare additional analysis for the commission’s Sept. 21 work session. Chairman Andrew Carwile also made a public disclosure, noting a personal interest in the CPV County Line Solar project; the declaration was filed with the planning commission clerk under Virginia Code §2.2-3114.
Commissioners and CRC staff discussed potential impacts of large-scale solar on county infrastructure and clarified that the example percentages were illustrative only. No formal motion or vote was recorded; the item will return for more detailed review and mapping before the commission forwards a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
The commission’s next comprehensive plan work session is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
