Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Charlotte County approves Quarter Horse siting agreement, declines to overrule Planning Commission
Loading...
Summary
The Charlotte County Board adopted a resolution to decline overruling the Planning Commission and approved a siting agreement and CUP amendment with Virginia Electric & Power Company (Dominion) for the Quarter Horse Solar Project, after Dominion presented project details and adjustments were reported following a closed session.
On Aug. 14, 2024, the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution declining to overrule the Planning Commission under Virginia Code §15.2-2232 and approved a siting agreement with Virginia Electric & Power Company (Dominion) related to the Quarter Horse Solar Project. The Board also approved a related amendment to the Quarter Horse Conditional Use Permit with staff conditions.
County Administrator Dan Witt told the Board that changes had been made to the draft siting agreement during the closed session held immediately before the regular meeting; those changes included the convenience fee amount, the payments to the county and the method of payment. Meaghan O’Brien, Senior Business Development Manager for Dominion, presented project statistics and highlighted fiscal and safety commitments for the project and contractor operations.
Public comment included both support and opposition: some residents thanked Dominion for reducing the footprint of a prior plan and emphasized economic benefits; others objected to projects sited outside particular zoning categories. Written comments were also submitted for the Board’s review.
The Board first adopted a 2232 resolution that effectively affirmed the Planning Commission’s July 18 decision by choosing not to overrule it; the resolution stated the project is substantially in accord with the Comprehensive Plan and therefore the Board declined to exercise its overruling authority. The resolution passed unanimously. The Board then approved the siting agreement as presented (with the Chair or County Administrator authorized to execute the agreement) and subsequently approved a CUP application amendment with staff-recommended conditions; the motions and recorded votes were entered into the minutes as aye votes by all supervisors present.
The approvals allow County officials to finalize the siting agreement and proceed with permit administration consistent with the agreement and the Board’s recorded instructions. The record notes that some modifications to the draft agreement were made following consultation with legal counsel during the closed session; those modifications were summarized to the Board by the County Administrator at the public hearing.