Recap of December 12 Board of Supervisors Meeting
December 12 Recap
Board of Supervisors Denies Appeal that Proposed Solar Facility is in Substantial Accord with the Comprehensive Plan
The applicant is requesting a special exception for a large-scale solar energy facility to be developed on approximately 506 acres of parcels totaling approximately 1,270 acres in the Thweatt/Pumphouse Road area. Section 15.2232 of the Code of Virginia requires a determination by the Planning Commission that the proposed facility is in “substantial accord” with the Comprehensive Plan. This must be done before the special exception request can be considered. On October 26, 2023, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and made a determination by a 7-0 vote that the proposed facility is NOT in substantial accord. The reason provided for the determination was: It does not adhere to the general guidance of the Comprehensive Plan including the Solar Energy Facility Siting Policy, specifically: to avoid the Prince George Planning Area.
The applicant has appealed to the Board of Supervisors . At its December 12 meeting, the Board held a public hearing and after listening to the Prince George County Planning Department, the applicant, and over 20 citizens that spoke, they voted 5-0 to uphold the denial of a finding of Substantial Accord made by the Prince George County Planning Commission on October 26, 2023 as the Board’s decision on the appeal.
Other matters that came before the Board at its meeting:
· Received a report on the FY23 Audit.
· Received a VTC ARPA Tourism update.
· Held a discussion on the FY25 Budget Calendar.
· Approved on consent and presented a commendation to Alan R. Carmichael for his service to Prince George County.
· Approved on consent and presented a commendation to Donald R. Hunter for his service to Prince George County.
· Approved on consent an appropriation in the amount of $29,879.09 for State Library of Virginia Records Preservation Grant.
· Approved on consent an authorization to apply for grant funding for the Water Transmission Main Appomattox River Crossing project through the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission.
· Approved on consent an authorization to enter into Agreements with the Constitutional Officers.
· Unanimously approved a resolution for the addition of a Public School Road to the Secondary System.
· Unanimously approved an authority to apply for the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative Program and enter into agreement with CostQuest Associates, Inc.
· Unanimously approved an authority to apply for the Cameron Foundation Broadband Grant.
· Unanimously approved an authority to apply for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP).
· Unanimously approved an award of contract and budget transfer for Route 301 Well Construction.
· Unanimously approved a certification of receipt of annual Audited FY2023 Financial Report.
· Unanimously approved a revision to Administrative Policy Sections 330.1-330.13 entitled Non-Travel Food and Beverage Purchase.
· Unanimously approved a revision to Personnel Policy Section 24.1-24.25 entitled Leave, Personnel Policy Section 26.1-26.7 entitled Worker’s Compensation Insurance and Sections 46.1-46.4 entitled Driving Records and Access to Employee Driving Records.
· Unanimously approved recommendations to the Circuit Court for Board of Equalization appointments for Lee Dixon, Henry Geiz, Jr., Elizabeth Abernathy, Raymond Everett, and one alternate, Eric Crawford.
· Unanimously reappointed Mr. V. Clarence Joyner to the Prince George Planning Commission.
· Unanimously appointed Ms. Becky McDonough to the Virginia Gateway Region.
· Unanimously reappointed Mr. Steve McDonough to the Crater Planning District Commission.