Board narrowly votes to refer CPV County Line Solar amendment back to Planning Commission (5-2)

The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 13, 2025 voted 5-2 to find CPV County Line Solar’s proposed amendment in compliance and to refer the application back to the Planning Commission for further consideration.

Vice-Chair Hazel Bowman Smith told the Board the amendment seeks to add about 91 acres to the County Line Solar project to address new Virginia Department of Environmental Quality requirements and to accommodate additional sediment-control ponds. She said roughly 30–36 acres were lost from the original application because of agreements on larger setbacks.

Supervisor Noah Davis asked whether two homes at the end of Jenkins Road would be affected; the Board was told the project includes a 400-foot buffer between the solar installation and each affected residence. Vice-Chair Smith also said the project became stronger after CPV briefly left and later re-entered the queue, accounting for some of the acreage changes.

After discussion, Vice-Chair Smith moved to find the project in compliance and refer the amendment back to the Planning Commission; Supervisor Derek Toombs seconded. The motion passed 5-2, with Supervisors Noah Davis and Henry Carwile voting no. The referral sends the amended application to the Planning Commission for review of site-specific details and conditions identified by staff and the Board.

The Board’s action does not itself approve construction; it signals the need for further Planning Commission consideration of the revised site plan and DEQ-driven changes.