Amendments to Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance Concerning Large-Scale Solar Energy Systems
Background
In early 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors charged the Planning Commission and staff from the Department of Planning and GIS Services to study and address large-scale solar energy systems as a land use in Montgomery County. The Board of Supervisors requested that the Planning Commission and staff work to draft language to amend the County's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and to seek community input on the draft language. Download the Board of Supervisors resolution.
A Solar Work Group, comprised of members of County staff, the Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors, began meeting in the Spring of 2023 to conduct research into how other jurisdictions have managed solar energy project applications. The Work Group also analyzed County data and maps to direct staff in the drafting of proposed amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Work Group's findings served as the basis for further review of the proposed amendments and were shared with the Planning Commission and the public in various forms, as detailed below.
Public Review of Documents
Draft language for the proposed documents were posted to this webpage and hard copies placed at the following locations:
- Montgomery County Government Center Information Desk (1st Floor) - 755 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg
- Montgomery County Planning and GIS Services Department - 755 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, Suite 2A
- Blacksburg Library - 200 Miller Street, Blacksburg
- Christiansburg Library - 125 Sheltman Street, Christiansburg
- Meadowbrook Library - 267 Alleghany Spring Road, Shawsville
Community Open House Information
A Community Open House was held on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 3pm-6pm at the Government Center. Members of the public had an opportunity to view display boards highlighting the research conducted by the Solar Energy Work Group and the Group's draft recommendations to be presented to the Planning Commission.
Before and during the Open House, the Solar Work Group and County staff received feedback from a number of stakeholders regarding the proposed amendments.
Planning Commission Work Sessions
1st Work Session
The Planning Commission held its first work session to discuss the proposed amendments the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance on August 9, 2023. At that time, members of the Commission shared feedback with County staff and sought additional information from staff and the Work Group. No action was taken by the Commission as part of this work session. Download materials shared at the work session.
2nd Work Session
The Commission held a second work session to discuss the proposed amendments on October 11, 2023. During the work session, staff presented a series of alternatives and recommendations on the proposed amendments. These recommendations took the work of the Solar Energy Work Group, feedback received from the Public Open House, comments received from the public, and other information gathered from the first Planning Commission Work Session. Download materials shared at the work session.
3rd Work Session
The Commission held a third work session on the proposed amendments on November 13, 2023. Small grammatical changes were made following this meeting with no substantive changes to the proposed amendments.
Planning Commission Public Hearing
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 13, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. on the proposed amendments.
View the draft Comprehensive Plan Language considered by the Commission.
View the draft Zoning Ordinance Language considered by the Commission.
The Commission ultimately recommended approval of the draft language to the Board of Supervisors on a vote of 5-0-1, with one member abstaining and 3 members absent. The public hearing presentation and comments provided by citizens may be viewed on the County's YouTube Channel. (Discussion of the proposed amendments begins at timestamp 9:50)
Board of Supervisors Work Session / Public Hearing
The Board of Supervisors held its first work session on the proposed amendments on Monday, January 22, 2024. View staff's presentation on the County's YouTube Channel. (Staff's presentation begins at timestamp 3:44:30)
Download a copy of staff's presentation.
At that meeting, the Board chose to advance the proposed amendments forward to Public Hearing to allow citizens the opportunity to comment on the proposal and for the Board to further amend the proposal as needed.
A public hearing on the proposed amendments was held on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 7:15 p.m. Notice of the public hearing was published in the News Messenger on Saturday, February 17 and Saturday, February 24.
Download the Final Draft Language for the Comprehensive Plan
Download the Final Draft Language for the Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Public Comment Still Being Accepted
Citizens, landowners, and members of the development community may still provide public input on the proposed documents by emailing mcplan@montgomerycountyva.gov or mailing Planning and GIS Services, 755 Roanoke Street, Suite 2A, Christiansburg, VA 24073