Charlotte County board approves solar ordinance revisions, tables Randolph siting agreement after public opposition
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Summary
The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors approved two amendments to its solar ordinance — a revenue-share provision and a 5MW threshold change — but tabled the proposed Randolph Solar siting agreement after public opposition and a closed-session review.
The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors on June 13 approved two amendments to the county's solar ordinance — a revenue-share change and a separate amendment addressing 5-megawatt projects — but paused action on a specific Randolph Solar siting agreement after community opposition and a closed-session review.
Following a public hearing, the Board voted to adopt the revenue-share amendment on a roll call in which six supervisors voted yea and Supervisor Garland H. Hamlett Jr. voted no. The Board then approved the 5MW-project amendment with the same 6–1 pattern (Hamlett voting no). Both motions carried.
Several residents spoke during the public hearing to oppose the Randolph Solar project. Speakers included George Toombs, Donna Fore and Kay Pierantoni, who told the Board they objected to the proposal. Toombs also raised concerns about impacts on the Amish community in the county.
Afterward the Board entered a closed session to consult legal counsel and to discuss contract negotiations related to broadband grants and siting agreements. Upon returning to open session Chairman Gary D. Walker announced the Board would table the Randolph Solar siting agreement; no final siting decision was made that evening.
The changes to the county's solar ordinance will take effect as local procedures require; the Board scheduled a special meeting and an August public hearing on a separate Tall Pines Solar siting application. The meeting record does not include ordinance text or detailed fiscal terms; those specifics were not provided in the public minutes.