Culpeper County Planning Director Sam McLearen started the night’s presentations with an explanation of the extensive staff review process of the application that began in April.

In recommending approval of the special permit to operate the solar project on agricultural land, staff imposed 32 conditions covering everything from setbacks (150-feet from adjoining property lines), and screening (multiple rows of trees) to soil testing (at the start and end of the project) and permitted hours of construction (not on Sunday).

The applicant presented a scaled-back application Tuesday that removed nearly 200 acres from the project, primarily near a Civil War study area along Blackjack Road. NextEra Energy Resources project manager Shanelle Wilson provided an overview of the work saying it’s an anticipated eight- to 10- month construction project. The conditional use permit approved Tuesday is good for two years.

Wilson brought a sample solar panel to the hearing and was grilled extensively by Supervisor Frazier about what it’s made of, implying its composition included potentially toxic metals that would pollute the soil and water. Stuart McCurdy with NextEra said the panels contain no hazardous materials and are made of silicon, aluminum and glass.

In addition to the 32 staff conditions, the solar company also agreed to other legal requirements urged by the county attorney that would make the permit biding to any and all successive companies that might take over the project, provide information on NextEra’s business structure and disclose any changes to the application within 90 days.

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at abrophy@starexponent.com or (540) 825-4315.