Slow down on solar? Augusta County stuck on what to do with solar applications: THE AGENDA
The Augusta County Planning Commission would like to slow down on solar proposals.
The idea was discussed at last week's Board of Supervisors staff briefing, where the council considered a request from the planning commission to put a moratorium on solar applications until the county's anticipated update of the comprehensive plan.
That wish did not come true. Per county attorney James Benkahla, the board doesn't have the authority to issue a moratorium, particularly one that would target a specific industry.
The timing of that discussion is important. The Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals will be revisiting a proposal for a solar facility that was tabled at their last meeting on Thursday. The request is for a 3 megawatt small-scale solar facility within a fenced section of 25 acres. Those 25 acres sprawl across four contiguous parcels of land between Goose Creek Road and Jefferson Highway.
The project has already gotten a recommendation from the planning commission, but the county's planning staff had recommended that the project be denied due to it not being in accord with the county's Comprehensive Plan.
The project lies entirely within an Urban Services Area, where solar facilities are strongly discouraged, and near a planned residential development in Fishersville. The soil under the planned solar facility is considered fertile, and the project could have a negative impact on neighboring properties. There are also future plans for development to the north and west of the site, and staff felt the potential impacts on those future developments haven't been properly addressed yet.
The project does have one incredibly novel element: as part of a pilot program, the fenced-in land with the solar panels would be used for sheep grazing while the panels are in use.
If the Board of Zoning Appeals chooses to approve the special-use permit, planning staff recommended a list of 38 conditions for before development begins and when the facility is in operation.
Thursday, July 6
Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals, 1:30 p.m. - Augusta County Government Center - Among the requests in front of the board of zoning appeals in Augusta County are a 199 foot telecommunications tower, an antique store, and a special-use permit to build mini-warehouses.
Augusta County School Board, 7 p.m. - Augusta County Government Center- Among the topics of discussion is the proposed Virginia Department of Transportation improvements to the roundabout in the Wilson school complex. There is also a public hearing at Wilson Elementary School scheduled for July 27.
Monday, July 10
Waynesboro Electoral Board, 9 a.m. - General Registrar's Office
Staunton School Board, 6 p.m. - Staunton City Hall
Waynesboro City Council, 7 p.m. - Yancey Municipal Building
Tuesday, July 11
Staunton Tourism Advisory Board, 9:30 a.m. - Staunton City Hall
Greater Augusta Regional Tourism, 1:30 p.m. - Augusta County Government Center
Augusta County Planning Commission, 7 p.m. - Augusta County Government Center
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Slow down on solar? Augusta County stuck on what to do with solar applications: THE AGENDA
