The Planning Commission will be required to conduct a review of any new Solar Energy Facility to test whether or not a proposed facility is substantially in accordance with the adopted Comprehensive Plan.  That review would be in addition to the Special Use Permit review.  The process would follow a similar process to what occurs each year when the Planning Commission reviews new items on the Capital Improvement Plan for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan (referred to as the 2232 review, in reference to Virginia Code 15.2-2232.).

This amendment adds language to two elements of the Comprehensive Plan:

Within Chapter 1, Introduction and Vision, to add a policy supportive of renewable energy generation, data centers, and high-tech industries, also

Within Chapter 1, to add a policy supportive of agritourism, agribusiness, and renewable energy generation in agricultural and rural areas; and

Within Chapter 2, Land Use, to add a policy applicable to all land uses noting renewable energy facilities should be designed to minimize impacts on neighboring properties, uses, and roadways.