Commissioners deny Pocomoke solar project after objections about land use near growth area

Worcester County Commissioners on July 7 voted to oppose a proposed utility-scale solar project on Old Virginia Road outside the town limits of Pocomoke, rejecting a siting-standard modification for a reduced setback.

The project was presented to the commission by county planning staff as a consultation from Atwell LLC on behalf of Clean Capital LLC. John Gonzales of Atwell said the property is zoned industrial and requested a modification to reduce a 100-foot setback. Commissioners did not take a presentation from the applicant after a motion to oppose the project was placed on the floor.

Commissioner Abbott moved to oppose the project, saying, "I just wanted to make a motion to oppose this project, not because of the project, but, for the land consumption use in Prokimoke," and cited the county's growth area directly across the street and several existing solar facilities within a two-mile radius. Commissioner Bunting seconded the motion. Another commissioner noted that a motion was on the table and that taking the presentation would be preempted by the motion; the commission proceeded to vote.

The commission recorded its opposition and the meeting record shows the motion carried. Commissioners later told a reporter they voted with the earlier statements made on the floor, including concerns about clustering of solar facilities and local land-use impacts.

The applicant had sought a technical siting modification related to setbacks; staff had described the project as "generally consistent" with the comp plan and zoning, with one requested siting modification. The commission's action means the county will not forward a favorable consistency determination for the proposed project in its current form.

Next steps were not specified in the record; the applicant may seek to bring additional materials or revised siting plans to a future meeting or pursue next-step filings with state review bodies.