Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Buckingham schedules June hearings for draft solar ordinance and an event‑center special use permit
Summary
Planning staff introduced a draft utility‑scale solar siting policy with setbacks, decommissioning standards and wildlife protections and the Board set a June 8 public hearing; the Board also scheduled a June 8 hearing for an event‑center special use permit (George Goodwin) after a unanimous Planning Commission recommendation.
The Buckingham County Board of Supervisors on May 11 scheduled public hearings for June 8 on two planning items: draft Utility‑Scale Solar Energy Facility standards and a special use permit application for an event center submitted by George Goodwin.
Zoning Administrator Cheryl T. "Nicci" Edmondston told the Board the draft solar article is intended to regulate siting, construction, operation and decommissioning of ground‑mounted utility‑scale solar facilities. The draft calls for Special Use Permit review and contains specific application requirements including site plans, environmental feature identification, traffic and construction management plans, and a decommissioning plan with financial assurance.
Key draft provisions Edmondston highlighted include setback ranges of 150 to 200 feet from occupied dwellings on non‑participating parcels; 50 to 100 feet from roadbeds; screening, wildlife‑corridor protections and a requirement that decommissioning financial security equal 100 percent of the decommissioning cost plus a 15 percent administrative contingency with review every five years.
Edmondston said battery energy storage systems associated with solar projects would be treated as accessory uses and would be subject to fire and safety standards. She noted the draft was written to align with state legislation (cited during the introduction as SB 347, SB 443 and HB 711) and that the Planning Commission recommended the amendments unanimously at its April 27 hearing.
The Board voted unanimously to set the June 8, 2026 public hearing at 6 p.m.
On the same motion cycle the Board also set a June 8 public hearing for Case 26‑SUP368, an application from George Goodwin to operate an event center on Tax Map 4 parcels. Edmondston summarized the request as covering events "including, but not limited to weddings, reunions, party celebrations, festivals, music events, concerts, film and photo shoots, yoga, horseback riding, water sports, auctions, fishing, river cruise events, etc. for up to 300 people." Ten conditions were attached to the Planning Commission recommendation; they include compliance with all federal, state and local regulations, restrictions on parking in rights‑of‑way, and a county right to inspect the property after notice if complaints are registered.
Chairman Joe N. Chambers said he had known the applicants for years and supported scheduling the hearing. The Board took no final action on either item at the May 11 meeting; both matters will return for public testimony and a final decision on June 8.
