Lunenburg supervisors approve two land-use permits and authorize steps to explore airport solar lease

The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors on July 10 unanimously approved two conditional use permits and authorized county staff to pursue preliminary steps toward leasing 20–25 acres of the jointly-owned Lunenburg County Airport property for a potential community solar installation.

County Planner Jonathan Chumney told the board the Planning Commission recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 25-02, which would allow Robert and Bobbie Smiley to operate an online auto-sales business and store about 10–12 vehicles at 1096 Gary Road in Kenbridge. Chumney said the permit would include conditions requiring gravel or asphalt storage surfaces, a dealer’s license, no live on-site auctions, no outside storage of tires or parts, immediate inspection and cleanup of fluid leaks, and proof of environmental liability insurance. “The Planning Commission recommended the application for approval with conditions,” Chumney said.

The board also approved CUP 25-03 for RWG5, LLC to use the Sherwood Property at 526 Locust Lane as a soil borrow area to supply material for the adjacent Lunenburg Landfill. Joe Gustaf, director of landfill operations, said the plan includes four mitigation ponds, an air-gap bridge so roadway access is not affected, and preservation of existing wetlands; he estimated five to six years of usable material. County Attorney Frank Rennie told the board the applicant had already received the required permit from the Department of Environmental Quality’s Air, Water and Soil Division.

Administrator Tracy M. Gee introduced the possibility of leasing a 20–25-acre parcel in the southeast quadrant of the jointly-owned county airport at 634 Airport Road to an authorized offeror for a community solar project, and said the Department of Aviation would require an aeronautical study before any construction plans advance. “The first step is to obtain public input from the county and the two towns that jointly own the airport,” Gee said. Supervisor Edward Pennington moved, and the board unanimously approved, language authorizing the county to pursue the preliminary steps necessary to consider such a lease.

All motions and permit approvals were recorded as unanimous. The CUP 25-02 resolution adopted by the board makes the permit personal to the applicant (it does not run with the land) and requires compliance with federal, state and local regulations; CUP 25-03 includes detailed erosion and sediment controls, restrictions on access and signage, and explicit requirements for wetland and stream restoration after temporary crossings are removed.

Next steps for the airport proposal include the Department of Aviation review and public outreach with the joint owners; no lease or development contract was approved at the July 10 meeting.