Staff recommends that the Planning Commission initiate the ordinance amendment with the following motion: Based upon the public necessity, convenience, the general welfare, good zoning practices, and compliance with the Virginia Code, I move that the Planning Commission initiate changes to the Spotsylvania County Ordinances found in Chapter 23 amending and adding provisions related to Ordinance 23-173- Solar Energy Facilities, specifically Division 23-2.1.4 Definitions, Division 23-4.5.7 Special Uses Standards of Review, Division 23-6.3.3 Special Uses in the Agricultural 2 (A-2) zoning district, and Division 23-6.4.3 Special Uses in the Agricultural 3 (A-3) zoning district.

Currently, a Solar Energy Facility would only be allowed via Special Use Permit within the I-2 zoning district due to it use meeting the definition of a Public utility, heavy. 

This amendment separates Solar Energy Facilities into their own defined land use, allows them to be permitted via Special Use Permit in the A-2 and A-3 zoning districts, and sets minimum standards.