Board approves conditional use for Little McCall Road solar farm with decommissioning and wetland safeguards

Will Jernigan, appearing as agent for property owner Juanita Rahn, described a proposed solar facility on a 63-acre parcel on Little McCall Road, with an estimated 30 acres to be used for solar panels set about 75 feet from the property line. Jernigan said the installation is expected to generate approximately $1 million in tax revenue for the county and that the site would be enclosed with two fences plus natural vegetation buffers.

The board approved the conditional-use application unanimously, with specific conditions spelled out by planning staff and adopted by the board. Those conditions require that the solar farm meet the county’s Solar Farms standard (Section 5.1.2.9); site-development plans comply with the county’s Water Resources Protection Ordinance, Stormwater Management Local Design Manual and flood-protection chapter; any wetland impacts receive approval and permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and the operator submit a decommissioning plan that describes expected facility life, estimated decommissioning costs in current dollars, the method for ensuring funds are available for decommissioning and an anticipated timeline for site restoration.

Before any permits are issued, the applicant must furnish a bond, letter of credit or other financial security acceptable to the county equal to 125% of the decommissioning cost minus salvageable value, or $50,000 — whichever is greater. The decommissioning security must be updated every five years with estimates provided by a Georgia-licensed engineer, and decommissioning is required following 12 months in which the facility produces no electricity except for maintenance or repair testing.

Vice Chair Jamie Deloach moved approval and Commissioner Roger Burdette seconded; the motion carried unanimously.