Board allows Haney solar appeal to advance and approves special‑exception permit with conditions

The Nottoway County Board of Supervisors voted to accept an appeal of the planning commission’s denial of Sean and Catherine Haney’s 2232 review and later approved a special‑exception permit allowing a 5‑megawatt solar array on roughly 40 acres.

Zoning staff described the application and the requested setback reductions, and recommended approval subject to nine conditions including security fencing, stormwater and erosion controls, preservation of specified buffers, a decommissioning bond and compliance with Virginia Department of Transportation requirements. The board debated whether approval should be contingent on written approval from the National Trust for Historic Preservation; a motion incorporating conditions including the National Trust consideration passed (vote recorded in meeting actions).

Applicant Sean Haney asked the board to allow the application to move forward while he obtains final approvals. “We’re talking 12% of the land total land, that we’re looking at utilizing in this,” Haney said, noting the project footprint is small relative to his 316‑acre farm and that the design preserves farm uses and pollinator habitat. Neighbors and a planning commissioner raised concerns that panels and landscape changes would alter historic vistas protected by a conservation easement. Planning staff said waivers in the zoning ordinance allow consideration of reduced setbacks where appropriate.

The board recorded its vote after extended public comment and staff presentation. The decision advances the project to the next stage with the board’s specified conditions; the applicant was directed to pursue any required third‑party approvals and to return with final documents.