Louisa County adopts revised solar ordinance; developer outlines 200‑MW Letts project

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors approved final revisions to the county solar ordinance Aug. 5 after opening and immediately closing a third and final public hearing with no public input. The board voted on the final reading on a motion by Supervisor Kevin Hardin, seconded by Supervisor Scot Hunt; the board follows a practice of recording members as voting “AYE” unless otherwise noted.

The change concludes the county’s formal ordinance revision process and allows the updated standards to take effect under county rules. The hearing record shows no public comments were offered during the hearing.

Earlier in the meeting, developer Toby Valentino outlined a proposed solar project southwest of Letts. Valentino said the project is planned as a 200‑megawatt array and “would require approximately 5 acres per megawatt — totaling about 1,000 acres,” and that proximity to the 180th transmission line is a primary reason the site is under consideration. He told supervisors he plans to present the proposal to the Planning and Zoning Board early next year and will return to county meetings to answer questions.

County officials did not vote on the proposed project at this meeting; Valentino’s remarks were introductory and noted as forthcoming to the Planning and Zoning Board. The board’s formal action at this session was limited to adopting the ordinance revisions and routine consent items.

What happens next: the Planning and Zoning Board will receive the developer’s formal proposal, and any subsequent rezoning or conditional‑use review will be scheduled and noticed according to county procedures.