The Westmoreland County Planning Commission met May 22 for a work session in preparation for the Monday, June 5, 2017, 1:30 pm meeting (George D. English, Sr. Memorial Building, 111 Polk Street, Montross) (June 5 agenda) (PDF).
This is a 200-acre property and the solar generation facility would be built on approximately 41 acres in the already cleared farm land. Only a few trees would be removed to ensure adequate sun to the solar panels. The solar panels are fixed and end up being about 12' high once installed. A fence will be installed to surround the panels. The power generated will go into current distribution line. Because it's a public utility, the project requires a special session.
There are currently two houses on the property. One will be torn down. The other house is in a corner of the property, away from where the facility is being installed. Landscaping, one condition, will provide a buffer between it and the not-close solar generation facility. The property owner has requested a new lot be created for the remaining house.
Some questions from the commissioners: Is there any danger to people? Response: no, the panels are wired like other things are wired and there are no emissions or byproducts. The panels contain no hazardous materials. The company renting the property and running the facility is providing a decommissioning plan for the panels. There is recyclable value in old panels.
This is a 20 megawatt solar generation facility. When completed, there will be approximately 77,000 fixed panels; that part of the property will be fenced. When the lease is up in 25 years, the site can be returned to original condition.
Once approval is given and Dominion steps up the power lines, the project can be completed within 10 months, and in as early as six months.
Some questions from the commissioners: What is the financing for this project? Commercial. Will there be battery storage? No, the technology is still too costly.
CASE# 1706-CBAE-01
Request by Bushfield Farms LLC, 1111 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401- for the consideration of a Bay Act Exception of the Westmoreland County Zoning Code requirements found in Article 3, section 1, subsection 15, to repair stabilize and replace landscape elements destroyed in the 2015 storm. The property is described a Bushfield subdivision, as shown on zoning map 24A1, section 2, lot B1, also known as 997 Bushfield Road, Cople Magisterial District.CASE # 1706-CBAE-02
Request by Larry & Christina Pullen, 12689 Clawson Lane, Manassas, VA 20112 and (agent) Allison, Baird & Sehl, P.C, P.O. Box 838, Montross, VA 22520- for the consideration of a Bay Act Exception for land disturbing and construction within the 50-foot and 100-foot Resource Protection Areas (RPA). The property is described as Stratford Harbour subdivision, as shown on zoning map 23E, lot 124, 125 also known as 222 Haulover Circle, Montross Magisterial District.CASE# 1706-SE-02
Request by Foxwell Family Trust: Melvin & Edith Foxwell, Trustee, 751 Bushfield Road, Montross, VA and Roger Bowers, c/o FutureLaw, LLC, 1802 Bayberry Court, Suite 403, Richmond, VA 23226- for consideration of a Special Exception in accordance with the Zoning Code requirement found in Article 2, Section 13.3, Subsection 53, for the development of a solar generation facility. The property is located at 1072 & 1079 Gardy’s Mill Road, also shown on zoning map 55, lots 112,114 & 115, Cople Magisterial District.This is a 200-acre property and the solar generation facility would be built on approximately 41 acres in the already cleared farm land. Only a few trees would be removed to ensure adequate sun to the solar panels. The solar panels are fixed and end up being about 12' high once installed. A fence will be installed to surround the panels. The power generated will go into current distribution line. Because it's a public utility, the project requires a special session.
There are currently two houses on the property. One will be torn down. The other house is in a corner of the property, away from where the facility is being installed. Landscaping, one condition, will provide a buffer between it and the not-close solar generation facility. The property owner has requested a new lot be created for the remaining house.
Some questions from the commissioners: Is there any danger to people? Response: no, the panels are wired like other things are wired and there are no emissions or byproducts. The panels contain no hazardous materials. The company renting the property and running the facility is providing a decommissioning plan for the panels. There is recyclable value in old panels.
CASE # 1706-SE-03
Request by Adam Fried, 1975 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 and Walter McLeod/Westmoreland Solar LLC, 813 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 for consideration of a Special Exception in accordance with the Zoning Code requirement found in Article 2, Section 13.3, Subsection 53, for the development of a solar farm. The property is described as tax map 5, lot 80, Washington Magisterial District.This is a 20 megawatt solar generation facility. When completed, there will be approximately 77,000 fixed panels; that part of the property will be fenced. When the lease is up in 25 years, the site can be returned to original condition.
Once approval is given and Dominion steps up the power lines, the project can be completed within 10 months, and in as early as six months.
Some questions from the commissioners: What is the financing for this project? Commercial. Will there be battery storage? No, the technology is still too costly.