Randolph project drives debate over how the county counts 'locked' solar acres

Speakers raised concerns that a few large projects, especially Randolph, drive county totals and complicate efforts to bound solar development.

A participant noted county web figures for project size: "project acres, 21,000, and fixed acres at 4,500," and asked what happens to the differential — acreage that is optioned or outside fenced areas. Planning-commission members explained that some parcels shown in early plans are optioned but not all will be taken; Dominion had removed roughly 1,000 acres from its list because of conservation easements or title issues, staff said.

Commissioners discussed whether the county can insert an acreage cap (the comprehensive plan contains a "soft cap" of roughly 4%) and whether that language is legally enforceable. Staff said the Berkeley Group advised the county that the comprehensive plan could impose limits if well justified and legally vetted, but warned against an absolute prohibition because courts have sometimes overturned flat bans in other jurisdictions. The exchange highlighted competing priorities: limiting land-area impacts on neighborhoods vs. legal vulnerability to litigation and the technical effects of counting whole parcels versus only fenced envelopes.