HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRRC 07-25-19 Meeting Summary
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DRRC Meeting Summary for 07/25/19
Members Present: Kenney, Oates, Ambrogi, Banks, Wagner, Unger, Morrison, & Dawson
Members Absent: Shenk, Stowe, and Cline
Staff Present: M. Tyler Klein, AICP, Senior Planner
Public: One (1) citizen
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 PM by Chairman Unger.
Item #1 – Public Utilities. Discussion of a request by County Staff to include a definition for “Public Utilities”
that includes utility-scale solar energy generating facilities and solar power generating facility
decommissioning requirements in the Fredrick County Zoning Ordinance Supplemental Use Regulations as
required under the Code of Virginia.
Staff provided a summary on the June 27 discussion and resulting clarification on wind power generating
facilities. At the June DRRC meeting, the DRRC raised concern with the new definition for “Public Utilities”
and if it would include wind power generating facilities (i.e. wind turbines). After additional consultation
with the County Attorney the proposed definition may be interpreted to include wind power generating
facilities. However, height restrictions for individual zoning districts would otherwise prohibit such
facilities as wind turbines typically exceed the maximum height allowed for any district and would not fall
under any existing height exemptions (such as “windmills”) that would allow them to be constructed.
Based on recent amendments to the Code of Virginia, Staff proposes amendments to Chapter 165 – Zoning
Ordinance to include:
1. A definition for “Public Utilities” that includes utility-scale solar power energy generating facilities;
and
2. Additional supplemental use regulations (performance standards) for specific uses that requires
utility-scale solar generating energy facilities to make arrangements, including financial security,
for decommissioning consistent with/as required by the Code of Virginia.
Following Staff’s overview, the DRRC provided comments and directed Staff to consider further
amendments to the supplemental use regulations for “Public Utilities” to include: requiring site plan
approval prior to the establishment of the use, having facilities meet the primary setbacks for specific
zoning districts and any possible exemptions to landscaping/screening requirements, as appropriate.
The consensus of the DRRC was a by-right use for solar facilities under the definition for “Public Utilities”
was the preferred approach versus requiring an approved conditional use permit (CUP). Staff was
instructed to make changes to the proposed text amendment and bring it back to the next meeting for
further consideration.
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Item #2 – Other.
DRRC member Mr. Gary Oates brought forward several text amendments for consideration by the DRRC
including amendments to buffer and screening requirements, landscaping requirements, and
supplemental use regulations for “self-storage facilities” and “trailer storage.” These items were discussed
briefly by the DRRC. Staff noted they would work with Mr. Oates to review and bring forward a formal
text amendment proposal at a future meeting.
Staff concluded noting they were also working to review the requirements for CUPs and specific CUP uses
in certain zoning districts. This item would be brought to a future DRRC meeting and would also be
discussed by the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission at an upcoming joint work session
(date/time TBD).
No other items of business were discussed.
The meeting concluded at 7:35pm.