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Charlotte County board adopts Comprehensive Plan language that triggers review if utility solar exceeds 4% of land area
Summary
The Board adopted Planning Commission‑recommended Comprehensive Plan language that requires evaluation of utility‑scale solar projects if development would exceed 4% of Charlotte County’s total land area; the measure passed 4‑3 after debate over whether any numeric cap should appear in the plan.
The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted 4‑3 on Jan. 10, 2024 to adopt Comprehensive Plan language that requires the county to evaluate utility‑scale solar development if cumulative projects would exceed 4% of the county’s land area.
The adopted text maintains by‑right allowances for small‑scale solar (15 kW or less) and Conditional Use Permit requirements for larger projects, and explicitly states that utility‑scale development exceeding 4% of the County’s total land area “should be evaluated to determine whether individual projects are consistent with policy recommendations and criteria, do not limit opportunities for growth and development or the viability of agricultural or forestry activities, do not negatively impact natural, cultural, or historical resources, and do not result in conflicts and incompatibility between land uses.”
Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith told the Board she preferred language that meets legal requirements and said she would support a 5% numeric cap if a number were included, but sought a legal opinion on whether to include a cap. County Attorney Slayton said many counties have adopted solar caps and, to his knowledge, have not faced litigation challenging those caps. Supervisor Walter T. Bailey and Supervisor Henry Carwile said they considered 5% too high and moved forward with the 4% evaluation threshold.
The motion, made by Supervisor Bailey and seconded by Supervisor Carwile, adopted the Planning Commission’s recommendation with the 4% review threshold and passed with four votes in favor and three opposed. The Board’s action was limited to what language to include in the Comprehensive Plan; it did not itself approve or deny any specific solar project.
Supporters said the policy will allow the county to consider the cumulative land‑use impacts of utility‑scale projects. Opponents cautioned against locking in a numeric target without further legal review and warned of potential limits on future development options.
The Board also set public hearings on several solar projects — including CPV County Line Solar and the Charlotte Solar Gibson and Austin Goldman projects — for Feb. 14, 2024 at 6:05 p.m. at Randolph‑Henry High School.
