by Madison White Franks
The Lancaster County Planning Commission continues to study alternatives for regulating solar farms in the county zoning ordinance.
On September 20, commission members heard from an attorney knowledgeable in the field and on Thursday, October 18, they will hear from Dominion Energy representatives.
As a result of previous discussions, members decided to invite solar farm experts to increase their awareness. Planning and land use director Don Gill said he invited the developer of solar farms now under construction in Essex and Middlesex to meet with the commission but they declined.
Will Shewmake, an attorney with LeClairRyan in Richmond and former Chesterfield planning commission member, recently addressed the board. Shewmake also has experience in zoning and land use law and has been involved in solar farm projects.
Zoning is the first step in the solar farm process, he said…