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Neighbors' noise, lighting and drainage concerns raised about Foster Falls solar site, engineer says
Summary
The county engineer briefed the Planning Commission on the Foster Falls solar project, citing stabilized panels but time-limited battery approval, complaints about bright lights and transformer noise, drainage concerns and grazing-related erosion; DEQ oversight and the operator's bond affect permit termination status.
Wythe County's county engineer updated the Planning Commission March 2 on conditions at the Foster Falls solar site, reporting that the panel arrays are largely stabilized but neighbors have raised concerns about lighting, transformer noise, drainage and grazing-related erosion.
The engineer said the project's battery system has received approval but that approval is not indefinite and staff will check how long the authorization remains valid. Neighbors told commissioners some lights on the site shine into nearby homes and some residents described a "piercing" noise coming from transformers; the engineer acknowledged transformers make noise and said staff will look into drainage complaints that were reported several months earlier. "I know the transformers do make quite a bit of noise," the engineer said.
The county engineer also described grazing at the site, where sheep are being used for vegetation control; staff noted concentrated grazing has caused some erosion on slopes and that the operator has a maintenance crew and a bond that controls permit status. He said DEQ required riprap and other stabilization measures and that the operator is seeking to terminate the state's erosion-control permit once required work is complete and funding or other approvals are resolved.
Commissioners asked whether a battery plan would require further review by the planning commission; staff said the battery approval is time-limited and they would verify the approval period. Commissioners and staff also discussed whether the county has a lighting ordinance and how to handle complaints about off-property light spill; staff said they would check whether a light ordinance applies.
No formal action was taken; staff said they would follow up on drainage reports, confirm the battery approval timeline and monitor DEQ permit termination procedures.
