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Lunenburg supervisors approve Dogwood Lane 4 MW solar project, require work to stop for funerals
Summary
The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors approved Conditional Use Permit CUP‑4‑21 and its siting agreement for a 4 MW Dogwood Lane solar array, adding a condition that construction halt during any funeral services at a neighboring funeral home.
The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 11 approved Conditional Use Permit CUP‑4‑21 and an accompanying siting agreement for a 4‑megawatt solar array on a 32.48‑acre parcel near Dogwood Lane, with a condition that contractors stop work for the duration of any funeral service at the adjacent funeral home.
Attorney Matt Gooch, representing developer Apex Clean Energy, told the Board the project is “construction ready, other than obtaining necessary permits,” and that required bonds and a county easement would protect the County while first responders would have access to the site. County consultant Luke Peters reported his firm’s review and recommended approval.
Several nearby residents raised concerns during the public hearing. Adjacent property owner Jermaine Bagley said he had not been contacted about the project and only recently received notice. “I hadn’t been contacted,” Bagley said, and asked for more information before deciding for or against the proposal. Another neighbor, James Bagley Jr., asked how the project would benefit the community and expressed worries about increased traffic, noise and activity.
Developer Justin Vandenbroeck said Apex held a community meeting and sent notices to the community. Supervisor Mike Hankins flagged that a funeral home borders the project parcel and recommended adding a condition to protect services; Assistant County Attorney Drew DiStanislao advised that such a pause during funerals could be written into the CUP. The Board adopted that condition and then voted unanimously to approve both the CUP and the siting agreement.
The approved permits allow a medium‑scale solar array in the A‑1 (agricultural) zoning district; no zoning change was required, the Board was told. The siting agreement includes standard provisions cited by counsel and staff, including bonding and county access. The motion to approve the CUP with the funeral‑pause condition was made by Supervisor T. Wayne Hoover, seconded by Supervisor Mike Hankins, and passed on a unanimous vote.
Next steps identified at the meeting include completion of required permits and any ministerial easement documentation; the developer said it will proceed with permitting and coordination with county staff and first responders.
