Solar siting in Amherst; School financing in Campbell; Rezoning in Goochland
Another installment of an experimental newsletter to preview local government across the Fifth District
The goal is always to get these out a day before the actual meetings, but something about losing a few days in the late September still has me trying to catch up. I’m grateful for the opportunity to conduct this experiment thanks to Patreon subscribers and now it’s time to get moving!
Amherst Supervisors will kickoff the creation of a Parks and Recreation master plan and will hold first reading of an ordinance for revenue sharing with solar installations.
Goochland County’s Board Chair will explain more about tomorrow’s public hearing on the Centreville Small Area Plan and will discuss an alleged ethics complaint.
Campbell County Supervisor will have four public hearings for rezonings and sign off on an interim agreement with Blair Construction for design of the renovation at Brookville High School
Solar siting agreement gets first reading before Amherst Supervisors
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Amherst County meet at 3 p.m. today in the Administration Building at 153 Washington Street. (meeting files)
After the approval of the agenda, the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance, there will be the first reading of an ordinance on sharing of revenue from solar installations.
“Currently, utility-scale solar farms are taxed through the machinery and tools (M&T) tax,” reads the staff report. “The ordinance attached proposes a code change to allow such facilities to be taxed through a revenue share agreement.”
The Planning Commission held their public hearing on September 28. The Board of Supervisors’ public hearing is scheduled for October 17.
Next is the consent agenda:
Supervisors will adopt the minutes from the September 8, 2023 planning retreat that was facilitated by the Berkley Group. One of the two-year objectives is to create an agricultural complex and the minutes acknowledge that a facility with Nelson County is not likely. (read the minutes)
Supervisors will adopt the work plan that came out of the strategic retreat. (view the plan)
Supervisors will adopt the minutes from the September 19, 2023 regular meeting. (read the minutes)
The Monelison Fire Department seeks a reimbursement of $34,300 for installation of an HVAC system. (staff report)
There are two special presentations.
The first is a presentation of a study on a fire and EMS services in Amherst County. This isn’t available in the meeting material. (staff report)
Hill Studio has been hired to create Parks and Recreation Master Plan for Amherst County. Supervisors will get an overview of what the work will entail. (view the presentation)
Under old business there will be a resolution to modify the revenue bond for the Amherst County Service Authority. This is to reflect that the ACSA will not pursue a capital project to bring water from the James River at this time. (staff report)
Supervisors will also vote on a new name for a section of Lipscomb Hollow Road. An offshoot will be called Rutledge Creek Trail. (staff report)
In one item of final business, Supervisors will endorse a letter staying that Amherst County does not with to buy the assets of the Central Virginia Training Center from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development. (staff report)
Agreement to pay for Brookville High School design before Campbell Supervisors
The seven-member Board of Supervisors in Campbell County will meet in the Haberer Building Boardroom at 6 p.m. (agenda)
The first two items under County Administrator Frank Rogers’ section of the meeting relate to the renovation of Brookville High School. Supervisors have already approved the financing of up to $50 million for that project as well as construction of a 100,000 square foot shell building for economic development purposes. Now a resolution formalizing must be approved. (staff report)
Second, Supervisors will be asked to approve an interim agreement with Blair Construction to cover the cost of developing what’s known as “35 percent” plans for the Brookville High School project. That’s $1.35 million as detailed in the interim agreement. (review the agreement)
The third item has to deal with a financing agreement for the Brookneal Campbell County Airport Authority, an entity formed in 1978.
“In January 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Virginia Department of Aviation approved the master plan revision, locating the hangars on the existing apron,” reads the agenda. “The hangars will meet the region’s demand for small aircraft hangars as there are waitlists at neighboring general aviation airports.”
The Board of Supervisors is being asked to sign a letter of moral obligation related to a $700,000 loan for the project from the Virginia Resources Authority.
Next, there will be a discussion of highway matters. There is a document that summarizes written responses to specific questions from Supervisors.
There are four public hearings.
The owner of 138 Beechwood Drive seeks a rezoning from Residential - Single Family to Residential - Multi-family in order to build duplexes on the property. The existing single-family home may be kept or converted. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval. (board packet)
A property owner on Village Highway seeks a rezoning from Residential - Single Family to Residential - Multi-family in order to build a duplex on the property. (board packet)
A property owner on Camp Hydaway Road seeks a rezoning from Agricultural to Residential - Multi-family in order to construct a quadplex. (board packet)
A property owner at 123 Village Highway (U.S. Route 501) from Agricultural to Business - General Commercial to convert a residential structure into a business. They plan to move a business from Wards Road to this location. (board packet)
Rezoning in Goochland for car dealership on Broad Street Road
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Goochland County will meet at 4 p.m. in Board Meeting 250 at 1800 Sandy Hook Lane in Goochland. (agenda packet)
Board Chair Neil Spoonhower will have two comments at the beginning of the meeting. One relates to the October 4 special meeting related to the Centreville Small Area Plan. The other relates to an alleged ethics violation made on September 5. Any information from any of you readers?
There are three public hearings.
A landowner seeks a conditional use permit for an accessory family housing unit at 1180 Yellow Gate Lane.
SP Real Estate Holdings seeks amendments to a previous rezoning to allow automobile sales and service at 12501 Broad Street Road.
The above also needs a conditional use permit.
Supervisors will meet tomorrow for a special meeting related to the Centreville Small Area Plan.
Reading material:
A last stand for Centerville plan?, Rosyln Ryan, Goochland Gazette (via Richmond Times-Dispatch), September 26, 2023
School board honors transportation department, meets new student representatives, Justin Faulconer, Amherst New-Era Progress, September 27, 2023
We needed to update it:' Amherst County schools breaks ground on $32M project, Alexia Stanbridge, WSET, September 29, 2023
Piney River solar project again gets denial recommendation from Amherst commission, Justin Faulconer, Amherst New-Era Progress, September 30, 2023