Please sign our online petition to say NO to Rainbow Trout Solar Partners' proposed solar project on the land bordering Old Mill Rd and St Peters Church Road. Challenge the process that can allow agriculture land to be replaced by a solar facility that would be closer described as industrial use. Advocate for Hanover County to develop a strategic plan for solar in the county before approving Rainbow Trout Solar Partners' proposal. On Feb. 18th, the Hanover Planning Commission will be voting on this project. If approved, this project could change Montpelier forever? Your backyard could be next! Protect the future of Hanover County.

Additional Information:

Rainbow Trout Solar Partners have submitted a conditional use permit for a 44-acre solar facility for the property bordering Old Mill Road and St Peters Church Road (roughly 1 mile from Mountain Rd intersection). The land’s current use is pure agriculture and is characterized by truly natural beauty of local crops growing on rolling hills. Additionally, this property currently supports the local agriculture economy with soybeans, hay, straw and other crops.

The neighboring property owners fell in love with their own property in addition to the surrounding agriculture beauty of the area. They specifically sought after Hanover county for the natural beauty as opposed to industrial or commercial use areas. They are in shock of the potential impacts of the proposed project to their surrounding beauty of the land that borders their properties as well as the potential environmental impacts. 

Zoning Concerns

Hanover County’s Section 2 Land Use document describes goals for the county’s rural areas to be recognized for a vibrant rural environment characterized by:

• Viable agricultural and forestall resources that are important components of the local economy
• Communities of spacious low-density residential development within the rural planning area that is reflective of a rural character
• Preserved natural, cultural, and historical resources

Under Section 26-17, Hanover County defines the purpose of A-1 agriculture land as:

• “The purpose of this district is to provide for a full range of agricultural activities and to protect agricultural land, as one of the county's most valuable natural resources, from the depreciating effect of objectionable, hazardous, and unsightly uses. The district is also intended for protection of watersheds, water resources, forest areas, and scenic values, and at the same time to provide for spacious residential development for those who choose this environment and to prevent untimely scattering of more dense urban uses which should be confined to areas planned for efficient extension of public service.”

The proposed solar facility will be surrounded by “7-ft-tall fixed knot perimeter fence”. The proposal document claims that this type of fencing is commonly used for agriculture and farming purposes. However, the neighbors challenge Rainbow Trout Solar Partners to provide examples of where this type of 7 ft. fencing is commonly used for agricultural purposes within Hanover county. The surrounding properties are actually characterized by 3 or 4 board fencing for livestock, or no fencing at all allowing the area’s wildlife to roam freely. In addition to the proposed fencing, we also challenge Hanover county to provide evidence of:

• How solar facilities fit under the documented definitions and goals of A-1 agriculture land?
• How can solar panels be characterized as preserving the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the county?
• How does a solar facility support the viable agriculture local economy?

We understand that solar mandates have been placed on the county. However, we ask that the county take the time to develop a true strategic plan for locations and timing for solar facilities to be added. Our recommendation is that areas zoned for commercial or industrial use be considered first, since these areas have already moved away from the natural beauty that many Hanover citizens chose for their families and land ownership. Please do not let landowners take advantage of what we see as loopholes under Conditional Use Permits. Please look at the substance behind the proposal:

• Does the substance behind the proposal meet the county’s definitions of A-1 agricultural zoning?
• Does the proposal meet Hanover’s goals to protect “agricultural land, as one of the county's most valuable natural resources, from the depreciating effect of objectionable, hazardous, and unsightly uses”?
• Consider the permanency of this project. Challenge the developers to provide proof that this land will be able to be returned to agriculture use. There is evidence that shows land used by many solar facilities is depleted of natural resources that can not be replaced. If this is not truly a temporary use either as a result of depleting the land’s natural resources or a long-term project, how can this project be approved as a temporary conditional use permit?

Environmental Concerns

It is expected that this facility will result in increased runoff that will impact the both the surrounding property but also the broader area due to the creek that runs through the middle of the property that eventually flows into the South Anna River. The proposed solar facility will result the loss of vegetation which helps to minimize runoff into the watershed. Additionally, it is likely that there will be increased runoff due to both rainwater and condensation running off the solar panels. It is possible that this water running off the panels will create trenches further increasing the amount of sediment running into the creek and eventually into the South Anna River. This will likely cause negative environment effects that will exceed the benefit of solar energy.

In closing, it is shocking for the surrounding property landowners that property currently zoned as A-1 agriculture does not have to go through a full rezoning process and instead can be granted a conditional use permit that counters all of Hanover County’s goals for A-1 land stated above. The proposed solar facility will:

• Likely result in long-term effects on the land parcel preventing it from ever being returned to farm use
• Remove farming jobs and acreage from the county
• Destroy the natural beauty that drew the surrounding residents to the area

Please sign our online petition to fight Rainbow Trout Solar Partners' proposed solar project on the land bordering Old Mill Rd and St Peters Church Road. Challenge the process that can allow agriculture land to be replaced by a solar project that would be closer described as industrial use.