Dinwiddie County staff has drafted zoning ordinance text amendments (Case A-26-1) to comprehensively reframe how solar photovoltaic projects are regulated in response to Virginia House Bill 711. The proposal adds a definition for “solar photovoltaic project,” revises the purpose section to mirror updated state code, allows solar photovoltaic projects by conditional use permit in multiple districts (A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, M-1, M-2, PMD, PUD-C), and deletes the standalone Utility Scale Solar Energy District (SED) division in favor of new Section 22-245.3 establishing CUP requirements for solar projects. This indicates the County is preparing for more distributed and utility-scale solar applications under a CUP framework rather than a dedicated zoning district. While there is no specific solar project attached to this amendment, aligning local code with HB 711 is a precursor to accepting and evaluating new applications. Solar developers, environmental and permitting consultants, and legal advisors can engage early with Planning leadership to understand siting expectations, buffer requirements, and the forthcoming Section 22-245.3 standards so they can bring compliant project concepts once the ordinance is adopted.

Amendments explicitly respond to HB 711 and reposition solar from the SED overlay into multiple base...