The Middlesex County Historic Courthouse was packed on April 10 with citizens opposing a 20-megawatt utility scale solar energy facility on 77 acres off of North End Road in Deltaville.
For an hour and 45 minutes, 13 people in opposition stepped to the microphone during the Middlesex Planning Commission public hearing to voice their concerns, including:
- Runoff
- Decreased property values
- Inadequate screening from view
- Possible environmental hazards
- Future problems
- Only $28,000 per year in revenue to the county
- Changing the rural character of the area
Denied
The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend to the Middlesex Board of Supervisors that it deny a special exception for the solar facility, due to its proximity to residences; and secondly, the commission voted unanimously that the application is not in substantial accord with the county’s comprehensive plan.
The commission only makes non-binding recommendations to the board of supervisors, which is the only entity that has the authority to grant a special exception. Unless it is withdrawn by the applicant, the application will go before the board of supervisors for a final decision.
The report by Middlesex Planning Director Dave Kretz recommends approval of the special exception and states the proposal is in substantial accord with the comprehensive plan.
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