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Lunenburg adopts solar revenue‑sharing ordinance; board finds Red Brick Solar project in accord with comprehensive plan
Summary
The Board adopted an ordinance allowing revenue‑sharing agreements for solar projects and voted 6–0 (with one abstention) that Red Brick Solar’s proposal is in substantial conformance with the county comprehensive plan; supervisors voiced environmental and buffering concerns and said permits and conditions remain required.
The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on June 10 adopted an ordinance enabling revenue‑sharing agreements with solar energy and energy storage projects under Virginia Code §58.1‑2636 and found that a proposed Red Brick Solar project is in substantial conformance with the county comprehensive plan.
County Attorney Frank Rennie told the board that state law allows counties to enter revenue‑sharing agreements that supersede machinery‑and‑tools taxation and emphasized that any project would still have to satisfy the Conditional Use Permit process. "The proposed ordinance only allows for revenue sharing; any applicant for a solar project would still need to adhere to the Conditional Use Permit process," Rennie said.
During the citizen comment period, Red Brick Solar’s attorney Jon Puvak presented grounds of appeal of a prior Planning Commission decision, and Judy Brothers read a letter from Ann Cleaves opposing the Red Brick Solar request.
Vice‑Chairman Frank Bacon presided over the appeal (Chairman Charles Slayton recused) and moved that the board find the Red Brick Solar project in substantial conformance with the county comprehensive plan; the motion passed with six votes in favor and one abstention. Supervisor T. Wayne Hoover, who voted yes, said he "has serious concerns with the environmentals, buffer zones, etc.," and that he was voting to "see the rest of the story." Supervisor Mike Hankins said he walked portions of the land and, while acknowledging competing arguments, cited the project's economic potential. Several supervisors said they expect strict permit conditions and regulatory oversight if the project proceeds.
The board approved the revenue‑sharing ordinance and the finding of conformance in the same meeting; officials noted that the ordinance creates the option of revenue sharing but does not bypass zoning or permitting requirements. The board did not adopt project‑specific permits during the meeting; any approval to build would require required CUP conditions and compliance with state and local regulations.
Next steps include review and permitting through the county’s Conditional Use Permit process and oversight by relevant state agencies, and a forthcoming Solar Facilities Committee meeting scheduled for June 21 to continue local discussion and ordinance development.
