Charlotte County Board rescinds solar application moratorium after closed-session legal consultation

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Va. — The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously March 13 to rescind a resolution that had paused acceptance of Conditional Use Permit applications for solar facilities.

The board convened a closed session under Virginia Code §2.2-3711.A.7 to consult with legal counsel on actual or probable litigation related to the moratorium adopted Aug. 8, 2022. After certifying the closed meeting, Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith moved to adopt a resolution rescinding the moratorium; Supervisor Tony Reeves seconded the motion. The roll-call vote was unanimous.

The rescission resolves the August 8, 2022 language that had directed the county not to accept solar CUP applications “until January 1, 2024, or until the Planning Commission makes its recommendations to the Board.” The rescission took effect immediately, reopening the zoning process to new CUP submissions for solar facilities.

Public comment before the vote included opponents of the pause and small-solar advocates. Attorney Carol Ching, who said she has advised current landowners, told the board she “did not believe [the pause] to be valid.” Several developers and proponents of small shared solar projects asked for opportunities to present their plans to the board.

The board did not vote on a replacement ordinance or new procedural limits on solar applications at the March 13 meeting; staff and the Planning Commission remain the next bodies likely to consider substantive rules or recommendations. The board’s recorded actions indicate the matter was handled as a formal resolution following legal consultation; no litigation outcome was announced at the meeting.

The meeting minutes state the certification and rescission were recorded in the public record; the board adjourned after completing its business.