BZA Minutes 03 08 2021March 8, 2021
Regular Meeting
Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals
Regular Meeting
March 8, 2021
VIRGINIA: The Regular Meeting of the Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals
was held on March 8, 2021 in the Board Meeting Room, 39 Bank Street, SE, Chatham, Virginia.
Vice-Chairman R. Allan Easley, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The following members
were present:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Ryland Brumfield Board Member Present 6:10 PM
Hershel Stone Board Member Present 6:10 PM
R. Allan Easley Chairman Present 6:10 PM
Ann Deering Board Member Present 6:10 PM
Joseph A. Craddock Board Member Present 6:09 PM
Ronald E. Merricks Vice-Chairman Present 6:10 PM
Carroll Yeaman Board Member Present 6:10 PM
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mrs. Deering, and by a unanimous vote, the agenda
was approved as presented.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ronald E. Merricks, Vice-Chairman
SECONDER: Ann Deering, Board Member
AYES: Brumfield, Stone, Easley, Deering, Craddock, Merricks, Yeaman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes
Upon motion of Mr. Yeaman, seconded by Mr. Craddock, and by unanimous vote, the January 12,
2021 minutes were approved as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Carroll Yeaman, Board Member
SECONDER: Joseph A. Craddock, Board Member
AYES: Brumfield, Stone, Easley, Deering, Craddock, Merricks, Yeaman
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Ragsdale stated that there will be no cases for April, so there will not be an April meeting.
Two Special Use Permit cases will be heard by the Board in May. Case S-21-002 for ISP Solar
(Town of Gretna) and Case S-21-003 for The Dock at Smith Mountain Lake.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Mr. Easley welcomed new two members Mr. Ryland Brumfield and Mr. Hershel Stone to the
Board of Zoning Appeals.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Case: S-21-001 Michaux Solar Center, LLC: Special Use Permit for a Utility Scale Solar
Facility
The Zoning Precepts were read by Mr. Easley to open the public hearing at approximately 7:04
p.m. Mrs. Ragsdale, Director of Community Development, reported that Michaux Solar, LLC
petitioned for a Special Use Permit for a utility scale solar energy facility. The properties are three
(3) parcels of land, a total of 850.76 acres, located on State Road 856/Cobbs Knob Road, State
Road 859/Michaux Road, State Road 860/Leaksville Lake Junction Road, and DW Line Road, in
the Westover Election District and shown on the Pittsylvania County Tax Map as GPIN#s 1336-
00-7267 (253.24 acres), 1336-30-1075 (30.66 acres), and 1336-61-4700 (566.86 acres). There
were three (3) representatives in attendance for Michaux Solar, LLC. Jamie Mears distributed a
power point presentation regarding information about Michaux Solar, LLC. They have been in
contact with first responders and communicated with landowners in the development of the solar
farm. The Project will be a 50/50 split with Pittsylvania and Henry Counties. Michaux Solar, LLC
has received a Special Use Permit from Henry County. The Project will create approximately 150
construction jobs. Site plan notes and visual buffers were discussed as Micheaux Solar, LLC will
be adding trees, and a six (6) foot fence with one (1) foot of barbed wire. The split site map is
preliminary, as they are waiting on surveys to be completed. Construction will begin mid to late
2022 and will take approximately one year to complete. Michaux Solar, LLC has been in contact
with Cascade Volunteer Fire Department regarding fire and safety issues. Ryan Fieldcrest spoke
on behalf of Michaux Solar, LLC and was there to answer any questions regarding the Project.
There were no questions from the board members. The Public Hearing closed 7:16 p.m. The Board
discussed the petition as the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Easley read the seventeen (17)
conditions recommended by staff. Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mr. Yeaman the
following motion was adopted: Whereas, Michaux Solar, LLC has petitioned the Board of Zoning
Appeals for a Special Use Permit for a utility-scale solar energy facility and, Whereas, we move
the petition for a Special Use Permit be granted with the seventeen (17) conditions recommended
by staff.
Motion passed by a unanimous vote. 7 ayes, 0 nays
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ronald E. Merricks, Vice-Chairman
SECONDER: Carroll Yeaman, Board Member
AYES: Brumfield, Stone, Easley, Deering, Craddock, Merricks, Yeaman
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:25 p.m.