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Planning Commission reviewing amendment to allow large-scale solar in Agriculture district with CUP
Summary
County planning staff told the EDA that the Planning Commission is reviewing a text amendment that would permit large-scale solar projects in the Agriculture district via a conditional use permit rather than requiring Industrial rezoning; staff noted concerns about spot zoning after decommissioning.
Vivian Seay, a staff member for King and Queen County, told the Economic Development Authority that the Planning Commission is reviewing a proposed text amendment to the county zoning ordinance that would change the requirement for large-scale solar projects to be rezoned to Industrial. Under the proposed change, such projects would be allowed in the Agriculture district with a conditional use permit.
Seay explained the rationale and concerns: the current ordinance can discourage applicants and can leave parcels spot-zoned Industrial if a facility is closed and later decommissioned. "The concern with the current ordinance is that first, it no longer discourages companies from applying and it also leaving 'spot zoned' Industrial properties when or if the facility is closed and decommissioned," she said.
The Planning Commission review represents an early step; any ordinance change would follow the commission's process and required public hearings before the Board of Supervisors.
