Pursuant to Section 15.2-2204 of the Virginia Code, notice is hereby given that the Sussex County Board of Supervisors and Sussex County Planning Commission will hold a joint public hearing on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Airfield 4-H Conference Center, 15189 Airfield Road, Wakefield, Virginia 23888 in the Airfield Auditorium to consider the following applications:
Rezoning/Conditional Zoning Application Amendment #2024-02: The applicant, Blackwater Solar, LLC, seeks to rezone Tax Parcels 78-A-19 containing approximately +/- 963 acres and 60-A-15 containing approximately +/- 316 acres, totaling +/- 1, 279 acres from Planned Unit Development (PUD) to Conditional-General Agricultural (C-A-1) District to construct and operate a 600 MW Solar Generation, 400 MW energy storage facility, associated equipment and a substation. A Dominion transmission line crossing the property allows for interconnection to the grid via a proposed substation with the energy storage proposed adjacent to the substation. The application is being considered in conjunction with a concurrent application for Conditional Use Permit (CUP) #2024-01. In addition to the proposed change in zoning classification, an approved CUP is required for the proposed use. The property is owned by Drumwright Property, LLC and is located in the Wakefield Planning Area approximately .5 mile from the Town of Wakefield limits on Courtland Road and Brittles Mill Road. Courtland Road intersects the heart of the Tax Parcel 78-A-19, running north/south. The northwest portion of Tax Parcel 78-A-19 shares a boundary with Tax Parcel 60-A-15 which fronts Brittles Mill Road.
Conditional Use Permit #2024-01: The applicant, Blackwater Solar LLC, seeks a Conditional Use Permit to construct and operate a 600-megawatt, photovoltaic, utility-scale solar generation facility and 400 megawatt of battery storage facility on 8,355 acres, consisting of 18 parcels. Equipment will be located on 4,800 acres, which equates to approximately 57% of the total acreage under the proposed CUP. The project would be located on property in the Wakefield Planning Area approximately .5 mile from the Town of Wakefield at its closest point to town limits on Courtland Road (Rt. 628), and properties located in the area of Brittles Mill Road (Rt. 620), Barrett Church Road (Rt. 605), Turkey Pen Road (Rt. 729), Cedar Sign Post Road (Rt. 622), Walter Lanier Road (Rt. 740), Union Hill Road (Rt. 606), Beaverdam Road (Rt. 606), and Union Camp Drive (private) in the Wakefield Election District. The project infrastructure will consist primarily of solar photovoltaic modules mounted on steel racking structures, inverters, transformers, energy storage facilities, a sub-station, and security fencing. A Dominion Energy transmission line crossing the project areas would allow for interconnection to the grid via a proposed substation with the energy storage proposed adjacent to the substation. Energy will be stored in lithium-ion batteries (or their functional equivalent) with cooling and fire suppression systems and off-site monitoring capabilities. The applicant proposes setbacks of 150 feet around the project perimeter and 300 feet from adjacent residential properties? The permit as proposed would require the 3,555 acres that will not be used for project equipment or related facilities to provide an additional buffer area around the project.
Citizens are encouraged to attend and comment during the public hearing. Comments may also be submitted in writing to sricks@sussexcountyva.gov or via mail to the County Administration, P. O. Box 1397, 20135 Princeton Road, Sussex, VA 23884, no later than noon on Monday, March 25, 2024. Any persons needing assistance or accommodations under the provisions of the American Disabilities Act should contact Michael Poarch at 434-246-1043 at least seven (7) days in advance of the hearing.
A copy of the proposed applications along with supporting documentation are available for review in the Department of Planning and Zoning during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., phone number (434) 246-1000.
Authorized by: Richard Douglas
Sussex County Administrator
3/12 & 19/24
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