Lunenburg supervisors clear way for airport community solar lease, raise per‑megawatt payment to $30,000

Lunenburg County supervisors on Dec. 11 voted to allow an additional parcel of jointly‑owned airport land to be considered for a community solar lease and approved a separate resolution raising the county’s per‑megawatt financial compensation for new solar applications.

The action followed a public hearing on leasing roughly 27 acres at the Lunenburg County Airport (634 Airport Road, PRN: 4871). County Administrator Tracy M. Gee described the parcel as additional west‑side land near the Runway 20 approach and said the Town of Victoria already approved the request; the Town of Kenbridge was scheduled to hold a hearing the following week. Resident Mike Champion asked whether solar panels might create reflective glare for pilots; Administrator Gee said a glint‑and‑glare study would be required and stated the panels "would not hinder flight." After discussion the Board unanimously approved allowing the property to be potentially leased to an authorized offeror for consideration of a community solar project.

Why it matters: the decision moves county‑owned property into the queue for privately‑operated community solar development, which can generate lease revenue and local tax implications while raising aviation safety and land‑use questions that the Board flagged for study. Administrator Gee also signaled the county expects further public review: the Laurel Branch Solar project is scheduled for a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission in February.

In a separate but related vote, County Attorney Frank Rennie presented and the Board unanimously passed a resolution to raise the county’s solar financial compensation from $25,000 to $30,000 per megawatt for any solar application filed after Jan. 1, 2026. The change increases the per‑megawatt payment that the county seeks from solar developers as part of the local approval process.

Background and next steps: the Board entered and exited a public hearing on the airport parcel, heard a question about glare and required studies, and approved both the potential lease authorization and the updated compensation schedule. The county will hold a joint public hearing on the Laurel Branch Solar project in February, Town approvals are continuing, and the revised compensation figure becomes applicable to applications submitted after Jan. 1, 2026.