3.E) An ordinance to amend Chapter 25. Zoning. Division A. In General. Article VI.D. Solar Energy Systems. Section 25-70.8. Location, Appearance and Operation of a Project Site.
Prohibiting large scale solar systems within Urban Service Areas and Community Development Areas is counter-productive because these areas have the best infrastructure to support development of solar projects, which we desperately need more of, and they take development pressure off of equally needed agricultural land.
The current Comprehensive Plan also supports use of Urban Service Areas and Community Development Areas for industrial development, which should include low impact solar projects.
The blanket 2 mile rule simply makes no sense because terrain can shield adjacent solar projects that may be able to take advantage of infrastructure located in the vicinity.. Every project should be taken on a case by case basis.
Restricting the economic opportunities of landowners provided by low impact, clean solar development would also seem to be counter to the County's expressed support of economic opportunity for it's citizens.
Viewshed concerns also seem misplaced in an area blighted with poultry houses everywhere.
The Shenandoah Valley, and Augusta County in particular, are very fortunate that almost all the electricity we consume is generated away from the Valley, so we don't have to deal with powerplants that are creating piles of hazardous waste products. The least we can do is support the development of clean energy projects that are needed very badly if we have any hope of avoiding a true climate calamity.
Small-scale solar should and must be located contiguous to or near other small-scale solar facilities due to the limited acreage that lies near a power substation.
Prohibiting large scale solar systems within Urban Service Areas and Community Development Areas is counter-productive because these areas have the best infrastructure to support development of solar projects, which we desperately need more of, and they take development pressure off of equally needed agricultural land.
The current Comprehensive Plan also supports use of Urban Service Areas and Community Development Areas for industrial development, which should include low impact solar projects.
The blanket 2 mile rule simply makes no sense because terrain can shield adjacent solar projects that may be able to take advantage of infrastructure located in the vicinity.. Every project should be taken on a case by case basis.
Restricting the economic opportunities of landowners provided by low impact, clean solar development would also seem to be counter to the County's expressed support of economic opportunity for it's citizens.
Viewshed concerns also seem misplaced in an area blighted with poultry houses everywhere.
The Shenandoah Valley, and Augusta County in particular, are very fortunate that almost all the electricity we consume is generated away from the Valley, so we don't have to deal with powerplants that are creating piles of hazardous waste products. The least we can do is support the development of clean energy projects that are needed very badly if we have any hope of avoiding a true climate calamity.
Let's also prevent Amazon type warehouses within two miles of each other. There is no logic or planning theory to support this restriction.
Small-scale solar should and must be located contiguous to or near other small-scale solar facilities due to the limited acreage that lies near a power substation.