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Lunenburg supervisors approve Kenbridge solar farm conditional use permit with strict conditions
Summary
The Board approved a conditional use permit for a 4.99 MW, ~128-acre Kenbridge solar facility with conditions including a $2 million performance bond, groundwater monitoring, vegetative buffers and pollinator habitat, wildlife corridors, and an explicit prohibition on battery storage without a new permit; vote was 5–1 with one abstention.
The Lunenburg County Board of Supervisors voted May 14 to approve a conditional use permit for the Kenbridge Solar Farm (CEP Solar), a proposed 4.99 MW, medium‑scale solar facility on roughly 128 acres in the Hound’s Creek District.
The permit was approved by roll call after a public hearing: five supervisors voted yes, Supervisor Greg Currin voted no, and Supervisor Frank W. Bacon abstained. Supervisor Robert Zava moved to approve the permit and Supervisor Edward Pennington seconded the motion.
The staff report, presented by Curtis Rogers of The Berkley Group, said the project would place about 42 acres of arrays within fenced areas across four parcels and found the proposal consistent with the county comprehensive plan. The Board’s approval attaches detailed conditions to mitigate environmental, traffic and community impacts.
Key conditions require that the project be limited to 4.99 MW AC and explicitly prohibit construction of a battery energy storage system unless the applicant voluntarily submits a new conditional use permit application. The permit requires a construction management plan with restricted delivery routes and hours, site security and lighting controls, mitigation for dust and road damage, and a pre‑construction video of roads to document conditions.
The applicant must post a performance bond in the maximum penal sum of $2,000,000 to cover mitigation, repairs and decommissioning costs. The permit also requires a Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan, annual or periodic updates to decommissioning cost estimates, and a decommissioning security that remains valid until obligations are met.
Environmental protections include an erosion and sediment control plan, stormwater management in compliance with DEQ requirements, limits on grading and slope disturbance, and groundwater monitoring wells to be drilled prior to construction with annual testing for the first two years. Landscaping and a vegetative buffer plan must include pollinator‑friendly native plants and replacements for dead buffering within six months during a growing period. The conditions also call for designated wildlife corridors and restrictions on panel placement on steep slopes.
The Board recorded several public supporters at the hearing and acknowledged letters of support and one letter of concern. County staff and the conditions require the applicant to reimburse the County for third‑party review and legal costs related to permitting and to coordinate emergency‑response training with local first responders.
County Attorney Frank Rennie said the parties had agreed on siting agreement terms that will receive a separate public hearing on June 4. The Board scheduled that hearing and will present the siting agreement for formal consideration at the continued meeting.
The permit approval is subject to the conditions adopted by the Board; any substantial deviation from the approved concept plan will require an amendment to the conditional use permit.
