by Jackie Nunnery
LANCASTER—The Lancaster planning commission on Thursday, September 16, held its first “2232 reviews” since adopting a solar ordinance which took effect July 1. The reviews are designed to determine whether proposed solar projects are in substantial compliance with the county’s comprehensive plan.
Following public hearings, the commission voted 5-0 on both projects, concluding that they complied with the comprehensive plan. Steve Sorensen, David Chupp, Tom Richardson, Ty Bent and Tara Booth voted in favor. Latoya Davenport and Glendon Pinn were absent.
The projects will still need to complete the special exception process with the commission and board of supervisors.
The first proposed solar project, a 5-megawatt, 40-acre facility off of Ocran Road, is being requested by Heirs of B.H.B. Hubbard Jr. LLC c/o Dynamic Energy, LLC. The new facility would be behind the Rappahannock Solar Facility, approved by the board of supervisors in 2018. The property is zoned industrial (M1) but requires a special exception for a utility scale solar facility…[to-view-more]