I urge you to not support the approval of the proposed amendments to the Augusta County Solar Ordinance. The acreage limitation for small solar energy systems of 25 acres is totally arbitrary and capricious and is only proposed as a means to have more projects reviewed by the BOS rather than the BZA. Both Mike Shull and Carolyn Bragg have shown their opposition to any solar project being proposed in the county and these amendments are products of their efforts to eliminate solar projects in the county.
Furthermore, the Amendment for Small Solar Energy Systems as well as large systems to be prohibited in Planning Policy Areas designated as Urban Service Areas and Community Development Areas within the Comprehensive Plan is without merit as a large portion of these areas actually lack the development infrastructure required for intense development. In addition, the amendment to prohibit solar facilities within 2 miles of an existing solar facility discriminates against any landowner that may want to have solar developed on their land that is within 2 miles of an existing or approved solar facility. These amendments are only meant to discourage any and all solar development in the county. These amendments discriminate against any landowner that wants to do what homeowners and business owners are doing currently and that is mounting solar panels on roof tops, in back yards, front yards, side yards and wherever they please.