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Residents press planning commission for solar-ordinance details, cite property-value and environmental worries
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Summary
Multiple residents at the Aug. 10 Tazewell County Planning Commission meeting asked for the draft solar ordinance and raised concerns about property values, water and soil contamination, foreign ownership of developers and potential damage to panels from hail and wind.
During public comment at the Aug. 10 meeting, several Tazewell County residents urged caution and asked the commission for a copy of the proposed solar ordinance that staff and the county attorney are drafting.
Jim Best asked for a copy of the draft ordinance and raised questions about Energix and other international ownership, the type of panels and EPS materials used, decommissioning plans and VDOT inspection and compliance. "Would like copy of Proposed Solar Ordinance," the meeting record notes for Best's remarks.
Robert Carlson, who lives on Lake Witten Road, said panels had been sited close to Lincolnshire Branch, expressed concern about hail- and wind-related damage, and emphasized that some developers are foreign entities. Several commenters, including Jessica Lawrence (a real-estate agent), said they were worried solar farms could depress nearby home values and raised water and soil contamination concerns and possible health effects for children.
County Attorney Chase Collins responded that the proposed solar ordinance is a zoning ordinance designed to regulate project siting and that he has tried to incorporate stringent provisions used by other counties, such as setbacks, fencing and vegetative buffers. Collins said an ordinance requires sufficient demand and that zoning is the appropriate mechanism to control local siting conditions.
Commenters suggested organizing a petition and holding educational sessions to inform residents about solar farming. Member Jason Herndon told the public the commission had heard their concerns and said the board wants to act in the county's best interest.
The meeting record does not show a formal vote on any solar ordinance at this session; Collins's remarks and the public comments indicate the draft remains under development and will be circulated as staff and the county attorney refine it.