Charlotte County Planning Commission recommends approval of three solar projects, defers Lavender review

The Charlotte County Planning Commission on Dec. 21 voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve three separate conditional use permits for solar energy projects while deferring a fourth review to gather more information about cemetery access and wetlands.

Michael Zehner, a third‑party reviewer with the Berkley Group, told the Commission that reviewer and County staff had worked with applicants, Southside Soil and Water District and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to resolve technical concerns for the CPV County Line Solar application. Zehner said the applicant amended its concept plan and that "approval of the application was recommended." The Commission approved a motion to recommend the 150‑megawatt CPV County Line project to the Board of Supervisors; the motion passed with Commissioner Miller Adams voting no and all other members present voting yes.

During a public hearing on Charlotte Solar 1, Jesse Dimond, a project developer with New Energy Equity, described the shared‑solar design, said interconnection timing depends on Dominion, and estimated the combined direct and indirect economic impact at about $2 million. Dimond also said decommissioning "would be guaranteed as required by the conditions and in their lease agreement with Mr. Gibson." After public comment both for and against the site on County Line Road, Vice‑Chairman Cornell Goldman moved that the Commission recommend approval of the 1.9‑megawatt Gibson project with conditions; the motion carried with Miller Adams dissenting.

For Charlotte Solar 2, Dimond agreed on the record to increase stream and wetland buffers to 100 feet as requested by staff and commissioners. The Commission voted to recommend approval of the 3‑megawatt Goldman project with the revised 100‑foot buffers; the motion passed with Miller Adams voting no and all other members present voting yes.

Several residents raised concerns at public comment periods about cumulative density of solar projects in parts of the county, construction impacts, property values, erosion and potential effects on watershed dams. Daniel Dixon, representing Friends of Charlotte, said a letter submitted to the Commission criticized the language of proposed Condition No. 21 for using a lower precipitation value than DCR calculations and raised dam safety concerns; the letter was entered into the record and discussed with staff and the Berkley Group.

The Commission deferred action on Lavender Solar’s § 15.2‑2232 comprehensive‑plan review after Zehner identified unresolved questions about the project’s relationship to Mt. Lyle Cemetery, site topography and wetlands. Brennon McKone of Inovateus Solar said the cemetery parcel would be inside the project fence and that gated access and posted contact information would be provided; staff noted county tax records list the cemetery owner as "Unknown" and members of the public offered potential church contacts. James Benn moved to defer the 2232 decision; the motion carried unanimously, and the Commission voted to postpone final action until its next meeting to allow the applicant to provide the additional cemetery and wetlands information.

The Commission also received a staff update on ongoing comprehensive‑plan work and outstanding site plans, set its January meeting for Jan. 18 at 7 p.m., and adjourned. Commissioner Patrick Andrews reminded the body that administrative "pauses" on applications would be legally constrained; Supervisor Hazel Bowman‑Smith noted that state law requires the comprehensive plan remain general and that numerical caps belong in the zoning ordinance rather than the plan.

The Commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action or further review.