by Madison White Franks
LANCASTER—The Lancaster planning commission on October 18 discussed a solar farm application and forwarded a site plan to the board of supervisors for approval.
The proposed Rappahannock Solar LLC solar farm will be a 2-megawatt facility off Ocran Road near White Stone. The property consists of 184-acres, however, only 15-25 acres will be leased and used for the proposed solar farm, said planning and land use director Don Gill.
The property is zoned M-1, Industrial Limited District, which is the only zoning district where a solar farm would be permitted by special exception, he said.
Commission member Bob Smart moved to forward the site plan to the board of supervisors for approval. The motion passed 4-0 with support from commission members Tom Richardson, Tara Booth, Dave Chupp and Smart. Members Ty Brent, Steve Sorenson and Glendon Pinn were absent.
At the request of Will Shewmake, an attorney with LeClairRyan involved in the project, Richardson entered a second motion indicating the commission has considered the project and found it to be in substantial accord with the county’s comprehensive plan…
