Earlier this month homeowners on St. Peter’s Church Road and Old Mill Road received notification of a zoning application submittal for a conditional use permit (CUP) for the construction and operation of a solar facility by Rainbow Trout Solar Partners, LLC.
The facility will be on 44 acres, enclosed by 7’ chain link fence topped with barbed wire and accommodating 15,600 solar modules reaching 15’ in height.
This past weekend several neighbors met to discuss the application and voice concerns regarding the appropriateness of this industrial installation in our rural agricultural neighborhood. Among multiple concerns aired, Hanover County does not appear to have a Strategic Plan for Solar Facilities in place to manage projects of this type and magnitude.
The impact will be felt on several levels: designated wetlands run through the middle of the facility construction into Taylors Creek and the the South Anna River creating erosion and runoff of sediment, ignoring the “unsightly use” protection (A-1 zoning Section 26-17) afforded us and the disturbance of our natural abundant wildlife.
The Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled to review the CUP 2/18/21 and public hearings at the same meeting. If you have questions, input and/or would like to be on the email list for more information, please send your address to Nat Draper at ndraper@jrava.org. This is a major industrial installation in our quiet rural area, many questions need answering before any further action is taken.
Hat tip to Claudia & Tom Hicks via NextDoor.
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