PC Minutes 02 05 2019PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
February 5, 2019
MINUTES
VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Planning Commission met on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in
the General District Courtroom, Chatham, Virginia. Mr. Motley, Chairman, called the meeting to
order at approximately 7:00 p.m. Mr. Motley called the roll.
PRESENT
Richard Motley Chatham-Blairs District
Timothy Dudley Staunton River District
Morris Stowe Tunstall District
Janet Mease Callands-Gretna District
Colette Henderson Banister District
H. F. Haymore, Jr. Westover District
Brian Horne Dan River District
Dr. Charles H. Miller, Jr. Board of Supervisors Representative
Karen N. Hayes Deputy Director of Community Development
Greg Sides Assistant County Administrator
J. Vaden Hunt County Attorney
HEARING OF THE CITIZENS
No citizens came forward to speak.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
A motion was made by Mr. Stowe, seconded by Mr. Dudley, and by a unanimous vote, the agenda
was approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A motion was made by Mr. Dudley, seconded by Dr. Miller, and by a unanimous vote, the January
3, 2019, minutes were approved as presented.
CHAIRMAN ’S REPORT
Mr. Motley welcomed Ms. Colette Henderson, who will serve as the new Banister Election District
representative, to the Planning Commission meeting.
Planning Commission
February 5, 2019
Page 2
THE ZONING PRECEPTS WERE READ by Mr. Motley TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING at
approximately 7:05 p.m.
Case S-19-002, Maplewood Solar I, LLC – Mr. Motley opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Mrs.
Hayes, Deputy Director of Community Development, reported that Maplewood Solar I, LLC, had
petitioned for a Special Use Permit on a total of 1,517.98 acres, twenty-two (22) parcels of land,
located on Climax Road, Toshes Road, Anderson Mill Road, Snowberry Road, Throughway Road,
Old Red Eye Road, Cooksburg Road, and Piney Road, in the Callands-Gretna Election District for
a 120 megawatt solar energy facility. Attorney Jon Puvak with Gentry Locke, Patrick Buckley and
David Savage with Open Road Renewables, LLC, and Rick Thomas with Timmons Group, were
present to represent the petition. Mr. Puvak provided a brief overview of the proposed solar project
and stated this project is similar to the other solar sites in the area, except this project is on a larger
scale. The proposed conditions for the Maplewood Solar Project were also discussed. Following
questioning from the Board members, the representatives discussed concerns of the citizens
regarding landscaping and maintenance, decommissioning, community outreach, and benefits of
the project. Brenda Brooks, Art Brunner, Lois Shelton, Stephanie Weiss, Kevin Owen, Donnie
Moore, Kent Owen, Vickie Felts,
Tim Smith, Charles Robertson, Stephen Thornton, Margaret Shelton, Stanley Shelton, and Beth
Boles spoke during the meeting. The concerns of those who spoke in opposition to the petition
included, but were not limited to, the following: risk of vandalism; huge risk to the water supply;
visual impact to the community; loss of jobs; reduction of property values, etc. The comments of
those who spoke in favor of the petition included, but were not limited to, the following: would
provide revenue for the County; local jobs provided; educational benefits; environmentally safe - no
pollution, dust, noise, or smell - would be a good neighbor; less soil erosion; clean energy, etc.
Following questioning from the Board members, David Savage offered a rebuttal and addressed
concerns regarding hazardous materials, water contamination and visual effects (landscaping). A
visual of plant vegetation (trees) was then presented. Mr. Motley closed the public hearing at 8:41
p.m. A motion was made by Mrs. Mease, seconded by Mr. Haymore, to recommend to the Board
of Zoning Appeals that the Special Use Permit request be granted. Motion passed unanimously.
This concludes the Special Use Permit case.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:50 p.m.
__________________________
Richard G. Motley, Chairman
__________________________
Kathy H. Belton, Clerk