By Taylor Boyd
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors scheduled a joint public hearing with the Patrick County Planning Commission for its March 9 meeting to consider a proposed solar energy ordinance.
If approved, the ordinance would be incorporated into the county’s comprehensive plan.
The board also asked the commission to discuss and finalize the proposal at its Feb. 17 meeting before returning it for board consideration. The ordinance will be made available for public review ahead of the March 9 hearing.
Planning Commission member Ed Pool said there is urgency to adopt the ordinance.
“If legislation that is presently moving through the Senate in Richmond is approved before the county has a solar ordinance, everything you see in front of you is moot. It will have supremacy. We cannot do this then, it has to be done before the Governor signs the bills,” Pool said.
Pool said he submitted the proposed ordinance to the board on Sept. 16. Former commission chairman Kurt Bozenmayer requested board action on Nov. 17.
Planning Commission member Vance Agee noted the ordinance could be amended later if adopted.
Board Chairman Andrew Overby agreed.
“Just because the Planning Commission approves one version doesn’t mean we can’t make revisions and then approve thereafter,” Overby said.
Supervisors also offered feedback on the draft.
Supervisor Jonathan Wood asked the commission to revisit provisions related to solar panel height and vegetation.
“It says, ‘native and naturalized plants shall be encouraged.’ I never liked the word encouraged because I can encourage a lot of things to happen that don’t happen. I would like for it to say more, ‘the use of native vegetation shall be required,’” Wood said.
He also raised concerns about planting autumn olives.
“Because if you do, you’re going to have thousands within five years. So just kind of clear that up a little bit. You know, native plants aren’t going to spread like wildfire,” Wood said.
Supervisor Steve Marshall said he believes the ordinance could amount to “illegal de facto zoning.”
“My point is the ordinance attempts to regulate land-use in an unzoned county by utilizing a state classification system to define restricted uses: residential, agriculture, et cetera. This effectively creates zoning districts without following the statutory process required for adopting a comprehensive zoning ordinance,” Marshall said.
He also urged review of sections addressing pollutants, responsibility for cleanup, labor, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, and technical enforcement liability.
In other business, the board:
*Heard from Galen Gilbert about recent county fires and budget needs for volunteer fire departments and EMS.
*Recognized Wayne Kirkpatrick as the February Patrick County Partner.
*Recognized Tax Mapper Teresa McCormick for 37 years of service.
*Scheduled a public hearing on a hay-cutting lease for March 9.
*Appointed Matt Jones (Peters Creek District) and Dana Martiello (Dan River District) to the Planning Commission.
*Heard an employee health insurance renewal presentation from Sam Irby of Innovative Insurance.
*Approved a flood preparedness plan from the West Piedmont Planning District Commission.
*Heard from Focus on Youth CASA Executive Director Kerry Walker.
*Discussed the 2026 supervisors retreat.
*Approved a resolution reaffirming Patrick County as a Second Amendment sanctuary county.
*Approved a letter of support for Reynolds Homestead’s Tobacco Commission grant.
*Approved an Appalachian Power easement near the Walmart area of Stuart.
*Received updates from Commissioner of Revenue Glennda Morse, tourism and economic development, tax mapping, the administrator, and supervisors.
*Approved Jan. 12 minutes and bills, claims, and appropriations.
