Charlotte County approves siting agreement and 140 MW Taro Solar conditional use permit amid mixed public reaction

The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 10 approved a siting agreement and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the proposed 140‑megawatt alternating‑current Taro Solar photovoltaic project after multiple public hearings and a Planning Commission recommendation. The Planning Commission voted 7–3 to recommend approval and urged that the siting agreement require use of local contractors.

NOVI Energy presented project details during the hearing, saying the proposal would span 36 parcels totaling about 2,117 acres with a conceptual fenced footprint of roughly 889 acres (about 42 percent of the parcels). The company described buffers, wildlife corridors, a 400‑acre conserved open space intended for quail habitat and an estimate that the first phase would pay landowners about $30 million. NOVI’s presentation said best management practices would follow Virginia design criteria and that the company intends to work with local contractors.

Public comment was divided. Supporters — including multiple nearby landowners and 15 emailed endorsements recorded by the county — told the board the project would provide steady revenue, preserve working landscapes through leases rather than sales and create opportunities for local businesses. Sandra Towne, introduced as a founding member of the SCVBA, said, “solar is completely safe.” Other supporters described the project as well‑designed and a way to sustain family farms.

Opponents raised environmental and regulatory concerns. Speakers asked for clearer financial assurances for decommissioning, questioned stormwater and soil impacts, and cited the county’s 3 percent solar density cap, warning that approval could enable additional projects. Daniel Dixon pressed the board on decommissioning and bonding; Adam Layne and others urged caution about cumulative density and infrastructure strain.

Board members said they had discussed safeguards with NOVI. Supervisor Noah Davis said he had asked that NOVI provide a Phase I environmental site assessment and surety bonds issued by certified firms; Vice‑Chair Hazel Bowman Smith said NOVI had been receptive to working with the board on requested items. Chairman Walter T. Bailey said he had constituent timing concerns in his district and said that influenced his vote on the CUP.

The board first approved the siting agreement (motion by Vice‑Chair Smith; second by Supervisor Noah Davis) with Supervisor Henry Carwile voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The CUP passed on a separate motion (motion by Vice‑Chair Smith; second by Supervisor Derek Toombs) with Supervisor Carwile and Chairman Bailey voting no and the other supervisors voting yes.

The approvals allow NOVI Energy to proceed toward detailed permitting and project design subject to conditions in the siting agreement and CUP; board members and NOVI representatives indicated expectations for environmental assessments and financial assurances before or during project buildout. The county did not set a revised countywide density cap in the motion; Vice‑Chair Smith noted the board retains discretion to increase the cap if it determines a change would benefit the county.

The Planning Commission record and public hearing transcript show both substantial local support and substantive objections centered on environmental protections, decommissioning bonds and cumulative density. The Board did not require a moratorium or pause on similar proposals at the Dec. 10 meeting.