HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21 CommentsCOUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
540/ 665-5651
Fax: 540/ 665-6395
107 North Kent Street, Suite 202 • Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
November 19, 2020
Hollow Road Solar, LLC
Blue Ridge Energy & Infrastructure Holdings LLC
112 South Street SE, Suite 2A
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
RE: Request for Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) Comments
Conditional Use Permit – Hollow Road Solar – Utility Scale Solar Project
Zoning: RA (Rural Areas) District
Magisterial District: Gainesboro
Dear Applicant:
The Frederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) considered the above
referenced Conditional Use Permit application during their meeting on October 20, 2020. The
HRAB reviewed information from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) and
information provided by the Applicant. This application seeks to construct a utility scale solar
project located on two parcels of land that total 236 acres. The project will consist of rows of
ground-mounted photovoltaic modules, commonly known as solar panels. The site is located at
806 Hollow Road in Gore, in the Back Creek Magisterial District and identified by Property
Identification Numbers (PINs): 27-A-11 and 27-A-12.
Historic Resources Advisory Board Comments:
The HRAB discussed the site and the potential visual impact the project would have on surrounding
historic resources. The project is adjacent to Sunrise (DHR #034-0486) which is listed on both the
State and National Register of Historic Places. The site also has extensive frontage on Hollow Road
which is listed as eligible for the historic register. There are also a number of identified historic
sites within the vicinity which have not been evaluated and therefore their historic significance is
unknown.
The HRAB noted that there is a historic farm complex located on the site that had not been identified
by the applicant; the site consists of a vacant dwelling and barn which were pictured in the
Environmental Report. The HRAB stated that most likely this is a significant historic structure
given the location and photographs included in the Environmental Report. It was noted by the
Board that this structure has much architectural integrity (pattern of the house, central chimney,
collection of structures, 18th century house) and most likely important to the early history of this
area. The HRAB noted that this structure needs to be surveyed and preserved (mothballed), not
demolished as proposed. The historical significance of Hollow Road which is eligible for the State
and Natural Register (also included in a book by Willa Cather) was also discussed. The HRAB
expressed concern that a viewshed analysis had not been completed, and therefore the visual impact
is unknown.
Historic Resources Advisory Board
CUP Comments – Hollow Road Solar
November 19, 2020
Page 2
After reviewing the information provided, the Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB)
recommended approval of the CUP with the following conditions:
• While a Phase 1 Archeological Survey will be completed as part of the permitting of this
project, the investigation into the structures on the subject property need to go further. The
survey needs to document the collection of historic structures on and around this
development.
• A Phase II Survey needs to be conducted for the house/barn and surrounding site area.
• All proposed disturbance areas need to be moved away from the house and barn.
• The structures on the site need to be retained, stabilized and preserved (mothballed).
Thank you for the chance to comment on this application. Please call if you have any questions or
concerns.
Sincerely,
Candice E. Perkins, AICP, CZA,
Assistant Director
CEP/pd
cc: Chris Oldman, HRAB Chairman
Tyler Klein
Brenda Hanzl bhanzl@breh.com
See attached email from Lloyd Ingram, VDOT to Blue Ridge Energy dated January 22, 20201
01.22.2021Lloyd A. Ingram Transportation Engineer
From:Rhonda Funkhouser
To:notices@breh.com; bhanzl@breh.com
Cc:bradley.riggleman@vdot.virginia.gov; Lloyd Ingram; Tyler Klein
Subject:"[External]"Hollow Road Solar, LLC - VDOT Comments to CUP
Date:Friday, January 22, 2021 8:04:16 AM
Attachments:Hollow Road Solar, LLC - Comment Sheet.pdf
The application for a Conditional Use Permit for this property appears to have little measurable
impact on Route 610, Parishville Road, the VDOT facility providing access to the property. The
proposed primary entrance lacks the proper amount of required sight distance for a “Low Volume”
Commercial Entrance. This entrance could be used during construction, provided a VDOT approved
“traffic flagging” scenario, as described in the “Work Zone Safety Manual” was approved. The
proposed secondary access point, off Anchorage Court, could be utilized as a “Low Volume”
Commercial Entrance for maintenance and non-commercial traffic after the “Solar Project”
construction was completed. An approved VDOT Land Use Permit would be required for work at
both locations.
VDOT would support the Solar Project if the entrance situations were resolved.
Should the use expand in the future, the entrance will need to be reviewed, to determine if
additional improvements may be required.
Lloyd A. Ingram | Land Development Engineer
Virginia Department of Transportation
14031 Old Valley Pike
Edinburg, VA 22824
voice: 540/534-3214
fax: 540/984-5607
e-mail: Lloyd.Ingram@vdot.virginia.gov