Solar policy up for vote at Hanover County Supervisors; Public hearing for Rutland YMCA expansion
A third edition this week for this newsletter previewing meetings of local government bodies in the Fifth District
Limited capacity week continues with Fifth District Community Engagement being the only work I’m able to get to. This too shall pass and the flow of information about local and regional government. Reading material resumes tomorrow.
The seven-member Board of Supervisors in Hanover County have a full day on Wednesday. They will begin with a Comprehensive Plan work session. This is in the Board of Supervisors Conference room on the second floor of the administration building. (meeting files)
“At the work session scheduled for June 28, 2023, the project team will provide an update on the planning process and seek guidance from the Board of Supervisors on concepts and recommendations presented in the draft document,” reads the agenda.
The process in Hanover County is called Envision Hanover.
The first half of the regular meeting begins at 2 p.m. After the invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor comments and administrator comments, there will be a proclamation for David P. Maloney, the retiring director of the planning department. He’s worked for the county since March 1999 and has been director since December 2012.
There are two presentations before a closed session.
The first is on a space needs analysis and facility assessment for county government from Deputy County Todd Kilduff and General Services Director Chip England. Moseley Architects was hired to do the study which the Board reviewed first last October. The Facility Committee has recommended a plan based on feedback be adopted. The material is not in the agenda packet
The second presentation is an update on solid waste and recycling from Mike Flagg, the director of public works.
“Staff will present information on future trends and patterns affecting the outlook for solid waste disposal and recycling which are likely to drive costs and needs in the future,” reads the agenda.
The closed session has three elements:
Performance review of the county administrator and the county attorney
Acquisition of real property. The parcel IDs are named and if this were a real information outlet I’d do more research. Who does cover Hanover County?
A discussion with legal counsel about litigation .
The 6 p.m. session starts with citizens’ time followed by a presentation on Solar and Energy Storage policy in Hanover County.
“The purpose of this policy is to establish a framework to provide guidance regarding the siting and design for solar installations and energy storage projects,” reads the agenda. “The policy will not only guide the siting, location, and land use decisions related to solar and energy storage facilities, but also address fiscal policies to ensure the siting, permitting, and revenue generation of these facilities occurs in an objective and reasonably-predictable manner.”
Similar work is happening all around Virginia.
“One of the greatest challenges with solar energy production is that it is very land-intensive, requiring approximately 5-10 acres to produce one megawatt of electricity. A 25-megawatt solar generating installation requires between 125 and 250 acres,” reads the draft policy. “By contrast, Dominion’s Greensville Power Station, which uses natural gas to generate electricity, has a rated capacity of 1,588 megawatts and a footprint of approximately 55 acres.”
Then there’s a public hearing on the conveyance of an easement to Virginia Natural Gas on land in the Beaverdam District.
“During construction of the Doswell Water Treatment Plant to Railroad Crossing Waterline it was determined that Virginia Natural Gas had not obtained an easement when a natural gas transmission line was constructed across the County’s property approximately 30 years ago,” reads the agenda. “Virginia Natural Gas has requested that the County dedicate an easement at this time.”
Then there’s a public hearing on changes to polling places in the Berkley, Black Creek, and Montpelier precincts.
There are several planning public hearings.
There’s a request to amend the cash proffer for a previous rezoning associated with Winding Creek Estates in the South Anna District.
There’s a request to amend the cash proffer for a previous rezoning associated with Lakeview Estates in the South Anna District.
Advent Community Church seeks a special exception for a larger sign than allowed under the zoning. This is in the Chickahominy District.
A landowner seeks a special exception to place a mobile home on his property related to a medical hardship case. This is in the Ashland District.
ESL Mechanicsville LLC seeks a special exception permit to allow convalescent homes, nursing homes, or homes for the aged. This is in the Chickahominy District.
The Young Mens Christian Association of Greater Richmond seeks a rezoning of several properties to B-1, Neighborhood Business District, to allow for the expansion of the Rutland YMCA. This is in the Chickahominy District.
The above also needs a conditional use permit.
Lidl seeks a rezoning on U.S. 360 from B-1 to B-3, General Business District, for a automobile dealership.
