Developers press Nottoway for smaller setbacks, board asks for public hearings

Developers presented two preliminary layouts for a proposed solar project and described the trade-offs between a conservative 300-foot setback and a reduced 75-foot setback. The project team said the smaller setback would allow considerably more panel area on the same parcels — the under-panel/fenced acreage figures cited during the discussion included roughly 472 acres (300‑foot scenario) versus 858.7 acres (75‑foot scenario) in the broader project footprint — and would increase revenue and landowner payments.

The board and project engineers also discussed wetlands delineation, erosion and sediment controls, and the need for additional landowners as engineering work proceeds. "So what you see in front of you are 2 different site plans. 1 is a 50 megawatt scenario, and that includes the same landowners as the other scenario," the project representative said while explaining the two maps. Todd Chalmers, a civil engineer, described erosion-control measures his firm has used in Chesterfield County, including enlarging sediment basins and using stronger silt fences, and said those techniques would be applied if the project moves forward. Supervisors directed staff to process planning-commission review and public hearings and to include reduced-setback language in signing agreements as one route to allow a 75-foot buffer if the board chooses that path.