Tazewell County Planning Commission waives Comprehensive Plan review, approves Pure Salmon transmission line

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Tazewell County Planning Commission voted 4-0 to waive the Comprehensive Plan requirement and approve the Pure Salmon transmission-line project as submitted by AEP, following a presentation from County Attorney Chase Collins and a recommendation to allow the project to move forward.

Collins told commissioners that Section 15.2-2232 of the Code of Virginia sets out the procedural steps for substations and related facilities and that the commission could either require full compliance with the plan steps or waive them to permit progress on the project. "I recommend waiving compliance and allow the project to move forward," Collins said, and Director of County Engineering Kenneth Dunford told the commission he had no recommendations at this time.

Vice-Chair Robert "Bob" Moss moved to waive the Comprehensive Plan requirement; Member Jason Herndon seconded the motion. The commission voted 4-0 to approve the waiver and the Pure Salmon transmission lines, with Members Darrel Addison, Maggie Asbury and Anthony Ramella absent.

Commission records state that all required rights-of-way for the project have been received and that the transmission-line project can be included in the upcoming Comprehensive Plan draft. The Comprehensive Plan committee asked members to return edits and comments to Executive Secretary Kimberly Hilbert by Sept. 1 so staff can begin incorporation.

No formal public hearing on the substation was held at the meeting; Collins noted a public hearing remains an option if the commission or staff decide to solicit additional public input as the project is incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

The commission adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 14, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.