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Planning commission moves multiple zoning updates to public hearing to comply with new state law
Summary
To align local code with recent Virginia legislation, the Rockbridge County Planning Commission voted to send zoning text amendments on agrivoltaics (HB 508), agricultural/forest advisory committee membership (HB 292) and related solar ordinance changes to public hearing on Aug. 12 (solar) and the regular schedule for the advisory committee item.
The Rockbridge County Planning Commission on July 8 voted to advance a set of zoning text amendments that staff said are necessary to bring local rules into compliance with legislation enacted by the Virginia General Assembly earlier in 2026.
Staff explained House Bill 508, effective July 1, 2026, establishes a uniform definition of "agrivoltaics" for small renewable energy projects that integrate agricultural production. Commissioners debated whether the county's prior local language — which had been broader and included pollinator‑friendly habitat and integration with livestock grazing — should remain. Several commissioners said the state definition narrows the term and pointed out that if a project meets the statutory definition, local authorities have limited discretion to refuse the designation; other local controls and conditions may still apply through the solar special‑exception or permitting process.
Staff also presented a separate zoning text amendment to update membership language for the agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee as required by House Bill 292 (enacted March 14, 2026). The bill allows a representative from the commissioner of the revenue's office to serve in place of the commissioner personally, which staff said provides greater flexibility for committee appointments.
Because staff inadvertently failed to advertise the broader solar ordinance changes for the July meeting, the commission voted to schedule public hearings for both the agrivoltaics definition and the larger solar ordinance package at the Aug. 12 planning commission meeting. Commissioners emphasized the need to review the rest of the code for any cross‑references, to consider how pollinator‑friendly language should be treated, and to confirm that enforcement mechanisms are practical for any agrivoltaics conditions imposed at the local level.
Action and next steps: the commission moved both the agrivoltaics definition and solar ordinance changes to public hearing on Aug. 12 and recommended the advisory committee membership amendment to the Board of Supervisors; staff will circulate proposed language and follow up on any cross‑code conflicts before the public hearings.
