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PC Minutes 07 07 2020 PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING July 7, 2020 MINUTES VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Planning Commission met on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at the Community Center in 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 H. F. Haymore, Jr. Westover District Morris Stowe Tunstall District Janet Mease Callands-Gretna District Colette Henderson Banister District Timothy Dudley Board of Supervisors Representative Emily Ragsdale Director of Community Development Karen N. Hayes Deputy Director of Community Development J. Vaden Hunt County Attorney ABSENT Nathan Harker Staunton River District Brian Horne Dan River District MOMENT OF SILENCE The Board observed a moment of silence. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. HEARING OF THE CITIZENS No citizens came forward to speak APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Mr. Haymore, seconded by Mr. Stowe, and by a 6 to 0 vote (two (2) members, Mr. Horne and Mr. Harker, were absent), the agenda was approved as presented. Planning Commission July 7, 2020 Page 2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Dudley, seconded by Mr. Stowe, and by a 6 to 0 vote (two (2) members, Mr. Horne and Mr. Harker, were absent), the June 2, 2020, minutes were approved as presented. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Mr. Motley stated that Mr. Horne was scheduled for knee surgery on July 8, 2020. THE ZONING PRECEPTS WERE READ by Mr. Motley TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING at approximately 7:04 p.m. Case R-20-014, Shockoe Solar, LLC – Mr. Motley opened the public hearing at 7:04 p.m. Mrs. Ragsdale, Director of Community Development, reported that Shockoe Solar, LLC, had petitioned to rezone a total of 74.40 acres located on Highway 57/Halifax Road, in the Banister Election District from R-1, Residential Suburban Subdivision District, and RC-1, Residential Combined Subdivision District, to A-1, Agricultural District, for a utility scale solar energy facility, which would also require a Special Use Permit. She then stated once the properties are rezoned to A-1, all uses listed under Section 35-178 are permitted. Charlie Falter, Project Manager, was present to represent the petition. He presented a brief overview of the solar project and presented a packet of information to the Board members for their review. He also answered questions from the Board members regarding the project. There was no opposition to the petition. Mr. Motley closed the public hearing at 7:21 p.m. A motion was made by Mrs. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Dudley, to recommend the Board of Supervisors grant the rezoning request. Motion passed by a 6 to 0 vote (two (2) members, Mr. Horne and Mr. Harker, were absent). This concludes the Rezoning case. Case S-20-009, RE Blue Ridge, LLC – Mr. Motley opened the public hearing at 7: 22 p.m. Mrs. Ragsdale, Director of Community Development, reported that Blue Ridge, LLC, had petitioned for a Special Use Permit on a total of 2,263.19 acres, located on Tightsqueeze, Irish, West Giles, Hickory, Concord, and Deep Run Roads; on Newby Lane, and off White Oak Circle, in the Callands-Gretna, Banister, and Tunstall Election Districts for a utility scale solar energy facility. Steve Barna, Adam Peterson, and Kayla Laughlin with RE Blue Ridge, LLC, were present to represent the petition. Mr. Barna gave a brief overview of the Project and answered questions from the Board members. There was no opposition to the petition. Mr. Motley closed the public hearing at 7:51 p.m. A motion was made by Mrs. Mease, seconded by Mr. Dudley, to recommend to the Board of Zoning Appeals that the Special Use Permit request be granted as presented in the Board Packet with amended conditions as follows: (5) Landscaping. Applicant will comply with Section 35-121 Fencing – Screening. At the perimeter locations shown on the Conceptual Site Plan, the setback will include a minimum 15-foot-wide landscaped area comprised of any existing vegetation supplemented as needed with a staggered row of planted trees or large shrubs. The vegetation shall be evergreen and designed to be at least 15 feet in height at maturity of any new plantings and shall be a minimum of 6 feet in height at time of planting. Existing vegetation shall be maintained and supplemented with new plantings as needed to maintain required screening. Prior to construction and site plan approval, a landscaping maintenance plan will Planning Commission July 7, 2020 Page 3 be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval, which shall provide for the posting of a bond or other surety in an amount sufficient to ensure that the plantings are successfully established and the landscaping is maintained or replaced during the life of the Project. (7) Road Repairs. All public and private roads must remain open during construction. Any damage to roads caused by Construction will be promptly repaired to preconstruction conditions and/or VDOT standards where deemed necessary. Motion passed by a 6 to 0 vote (two (2) members, Mr. Horne and Mr. Harker, were absent). 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 7:58 p.m.