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Shenandoah supervisors approve 60.7-acre solar project with conditions including grazing and buffer plantings
Summary
The Board approved Special Use Permit 26-01-02 allowing a 60.725-acre solar facility at 16817 Old Valley Pike, requiring a buffer planting plan and a detailed grazing plan with soil preparation, water supply and long-term maintenance measures.
The Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors approved a Special Use Permit to allow a 60.725-acre large-scale solar facility at 16817 Old Valley Pike (Tax Map 057 A 282 & 283) during the Jan. 7 meeting, contingent on multiple conditions including a buffer planting plan and a detailed grazing plan.
Zoning Administrator Brenna Menefee presented the SUP (26-01-02), summarizing agency comments: building permits are required before construction, engineered erosion and sediment control and stormwater plans will be necessary for large disturbances, the Virginia Department of Health found no expected impact to the existing sewage system serving the dwelling on TM 057A282, and VDOT accepted the proposed entrance sight distance. Ms. Menefee noted the SUP aligns with the Comprehensive Plan, including the county’s objective that “The County will aspire to be carbon neutral.”
Staff’s recommended conditions require approved buffer plantings (a mix of native deciduous trees and evergreens with specified minimum sizes), a Grazing Plan with specified components, verification of soil preparation and forage establishment before issuance of building permits, and an ongoing requirement that the Grazing Plan be maintained for the life of the facility. Staff also limited the total disturbance zone to 50 acres and required legal access be maintained.
Presenters and residents provided context: property co-owner Michael Matthews said the parcel was used as a landfill for eight years and later capped. Wes Shaffer of ESA Solar said the project will connect to and may fund upgrades at the Dominion Energy substation in Edinburg and that the company holds a lease with Norfolk Southern for primary access. Bobby Clark of the Extension Office reviewed soil samples and forage recommendations for rotational grazing within the solar arrays.
Supervisors voted to find the proposal in substantial conformance with the Comprehensive Plan per Virginia State Code § 15.2-2232, then approved the Special Use Permit including the grazing plan and buffer requirements. The approval was recorded 4–0.
