Amelia County boards approve zoning amendment to regulate battery energy storage ahead of July 1 state law

Amelia County on Wednesday adopted a zoning text amendment to add regulations for battery energy storage systems after a brief joint public hearing of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission.

Chairman David M. Felts opened the joint hearing and Austin Mitchell, director of community development, summarized the proposed code change and the timing pressure created by a recently passed General Assembly law. "After July 1st there won't be an opportunity to add additional regulations," Mitchell said, urging the boards to act before the state law becomes effective.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and the Planning Commission moved forward with a recommendation. "Commissioner Parker Harding made a motion to approve the battery energy storage text amendment as written," the record shows; Commissioner Michael Bates seconded the motion and the attending members "all agreed in favor." Temporary Planning Commission Chairman Jerry Morris passed the Planning Commission's recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

The record does not include a numerical roll-call tally; minutes state only that the motion carried and the recommendation was forwarded for approval. The zoning text amendment implements local standards intended to address siting and operation of battery energy storage systems in Amelia County in response to the statutory change at the state level.

The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:53 p.m. with no further agenda items discussed. Eric S. Pollitt, county administrator, and Austin Mitchell were present for the meeting.