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County to add review standards for utility-scale solar projects after state law change
Summary
Staff proposed new mandatory review criteria and use-specific standards for solar power facilities of at least 1 megawatt (HB711/SB347), applying to projects approved by special exception and covering setbacks, height and submission requirements; staff said Fairfax County has not previously approved special-exception solar facilities except a landfill project in Lorton.
Austin Gastro said one of the state bills covers solar power facilities with a capacity of at least 1 megawatt and requires the county to add mandatory review criteria and use-specific standards for facilities requiring special-exception approval.
"This is an interesting one because what it does is that it requires localities to adopt regulations similar to the bill and the zoning ordinance when requiring special exception approval for solar power facilities," Gastro said. He told attendees the amended ordinance would spell out setbacks, height limits and submission requirements for such facilities.
Gastro noted that, as of the briefing, Fairfax County had not approved any solar power facilities by special exception, aside from a solar installation at the county landfill in Lorton that was approved as a public use. Staff will add a new subsection to the use-specific standards to implement the statutory requirements and to identify submission materials for applicants.
