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Charlotte County OKs amendment adding 51 acres to Tall Pines Solar; supervisors, residents voice farmland and density concerns
Summary
The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment to Tall Pines Solar's conditional use permit and a related siting-agreement amendment to add a 51-acre parcel. Public commenters urged farmland protections and some supervisors raised concerns about solar density and tree loss.
The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Oct. 26 to approve a conditional use permit amendment and a companion siting-agreement amendment for Tall Pines Solar, LLC that adds about 51 acres to the project without increasing the facility's fenced acreage.
County Administrator Daniel Witt opened the public hearing on the siting-agreement amendment and told the board the change would add Parcel #17-1-4-A and its owners, Justin R. Dodd and Ashley D. Henry, to the project's exhibits and incorporate the CUP amendment motion letter and any revised conditions into Exhibit A.
Preston Lloyd, an attorney for the applicant with Williams Mullen, told the board the added acreage "will not increase the size [of the] fenced in area of the project" and that the amendment would bring the siting agreement into alignment with the CUP. Ian Lindsley of Novi Energy said the parcel is not currently being used for farming.
Several residents spoke during public comment. Daniel Dixon, representing Friends of Charlotte, urged the board to protect farmland, suggested adding a surety bond to protect landowners and asked the county to adopt runoff-calculation standards slated for 2025. Libby Dorris urged officials to pause new solar projects pending further review and stated that Charlotte County has "exceeded the three percent cap" referenced by some speakers; the board did not adopt a pause and Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith responded that the county currently enforces a 3% density limit within a five-mile radius rather than a strict countywide cap.
Landowners Justin Dodd and Ashley Dodd Henry said the parcel has not been farmed in decades and that participating in the solar project would help them preserve the property for future generations. Justin Dodd said the family has viewed the land as an investment for their descendants; Ashley Dodd Henry said they do not plan to return the parcel to farming.
Assistant County Administrator Monica Elder summarized the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve the CUP amendment (6-1, three members absent) and to revise Condition #1 to incorporate updated concept maps. Supervisor Garland H. Hamlett, Jr. moved approval of the CUP amendment, Supervisor Will D. Garnett seconded, and the board voted unanimously to approve the amendment. The Board then approved a resolution authorizing execution of the siting-agreement amendment; that resolution was adopted 7-0.
During closing comments Supervisor Hamlett said he believes the county needs a cap on solar projects and expressed concern that proposed projects could lead to the removal of "an excess of 22,000 acres of timber" without replanting. Supervisor Smith countered that some speakers were conflating a cap with the existing density limit and said the Planning Commission is reviewing whether to recommend a cap. Chairman Gary D. Walker said the Planning Commission is actively considering the issue.
The Board adjourned following the vote.
