County attorney asks planning commissioners to review draft solar ordinance to protect farmland

Chase Collins, Tazewell County attorney, presented a draft solar ordinance to the Planning Commission on April 13 and asked commissioners to review it and submit any changes before the commission's next meeting on May 11.

"There is a lot of beautiful agricultural land within Tazewell County and we want to preserve that for future generations," Collins said, explaining the rationale for establishing local guidelines. He said one solar developer has expressed interest in a potential site on Recreation Drive but emphasized the county's goal is to allow renewable energy while protecting farmland and property values. Collins said the draft would be similar in approach to the county's Tall Structure Ordinance.

Collins told the commission that the county currently has no specific language about solar technology in its Comprehensive Plan and, because the county does not have zoning that addresses solar farms, the draft ordinance would provide guardrails for siting and infrastructure. He asked commissioners to call, email or bring suggested changes to him ahead of the May 11 meeting so the commission can refine the draft before forwarding a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

No formal motion or vote was taken on the ordinance draft at the April 13 meeting. Commissioners discussed reviewing model language from neighboring jurisdictions; Member Hayden Lyons specifically suggested looking at Smith County's solar ordinance as a potential reference. County Attorney Collins said he, Commonwealth's Attorney C. Plaster and County Administrator E. Young are coordinating on enforcement provisions for related ordinances such as littering and nuisance statutes.

The commission's next regular meeting is May 11, 2023, when members may revisit the draft ordinance.