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BZA Minutes 06 11 2019 PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS REGULAR MEETING June 11, 2019 MINUTES VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals met on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in the General District Courtroom, Chatham, Virginia. Mr. Talbott, Chairman, called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Hayes called the roll. PRESENT Kenneth Talbott Leon Griffith Joseph “Jay” Craddock Ronald Merricks Carroll Yeaman Karen N. Hayes Christopher Dadak, Attorney ABSENT R. Allan Easley Helen Glass APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mr. Yeaman, and by a 5 to 0 vote (two (2) members, Mr. Easley and Mrs. Glass, were absent), the agenda was approved as presented. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Upon motion of Mr. Griffith, seconded by Mr. Craddock, and by a 5 to 0 vote (two (2) members, Mr. Easley and Mrs. Glass, were absent), the May 21, 2019, minutes were approved as presented. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Hayes reported there are three (3) cases for next month, a Special Use Permit for a public garage and two (2) Special Use Permits for utility scale solar energy facilities. Board of Zoning Appeals June 11, 2019 Page 2 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT There was no Chairman’s Report. THE ZONING PRECEPTS WERE READ by Mr. Talbott TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING at approximately 7:04 p.m. Case S-19-004, Whitehorn Solar, LLC – Mr. Talbott opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Mrs. Hayes, Deputy Director of Community Development, reported that Whitehorn Solar, LLC, had petitioned for a Special Use Permit on a total of 700.72 acres, located on Taylors Mill Road, Galveston Road, and East Gretna Road, in the Banister and Callands-Gretna Election Districts for a large scale solar energy facility. She then reported the Planning Commission recommended by a unanimous vote, with no opposition, that the petitioner’s request be granted. Mr. Tom Green and others with ENGIE were present to represent the petition. Mr. Green gave a brief description of the project and then stated he would be glad to answer any questions. Art Brunner spoke in favor of the solar facility and felt it would be good for the county and the economy. Sonya Ingraham with Preservation Virginia also spoke and stated her concerns regarding taking the land out of agricultural use for solar facilities, as well as concerns regarding landscaping, buffers, fencing, etc. Mr. Green offered a rebuttal and stated ENGIE tries to pick sites with reduced impact and provides vegetative screening. Mr. Talbott closed the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. The Board discussed the petition as the Committee of the Whole. Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mr. Griffith, the following motion was adopted: Whereas, Whitehorn Solar, LLC, has petitioned the Board of Zoning Appeals for a Special Use Permit for a large-scale solar energy facility, and, Whereas, we find no substantial detriment to adjacent property, that the character of the zoning district will not be changed thereby, and that such use will be in harmony with the purpose and intent of the Ordinance, I move the Special Use Permit be granted. With the following conditions: (1) With the conditions submitted by the applicant. (2) The applicant will respond promptly and mitigate any instances of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). Motion passed by a 5 to 0 vote (two (2) members, Mr. Easley and Mrs. Glass, were absent). This concludes the Special Use Permit case. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m.