HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP202200014 Review Comments Waiver, variation or substitution requirement 2022-06-30�� pF AL8
County of Albemarle
Community Development Department - Planning Division
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Scott Clark
FROM:
Kim Biasiolli
RE:
SP-2022-00015: Woodridge Solar
DATE:
June 30, 2022
KIM BIASIOLLI
kbias iol I i @al bemarl e.orx
tel: 434-296-5832 ext. 3325
fax:434-972-4126
The following comments are provided to encourage the design of a development that protects important natural resources
identified within and adjacent to the site. General comments as well as specific recommendations on the narrative and plan
(first submittal) are included.
1. Vegetation Management
A. Virginia Pollinator -Smart Solar Industry Certification is recommended, including following the guidelines in the
Pollinator -Smart Comprehensive Manual for site suitability analysis, vegetation management plan, installation,
monitoring, and adaptive management.
B. Please described how the vegetation management plan will implemented and updated to respond to changing site
conditions over the life of the project.
C. Species selection for vegetative buffer and groundcover plantings should be based on the site conditions (soil type,
moisture, light availability). Native species are recommended as they are more likely to be well suited to the local
site conditions and will maximize co -benefits for biodiversity.
D. Vegetative Buffer - Property Line 200' (Narrative p 6&7)
i. Within the 200' setback, the narrative describes a forest section with a minimum of 100' of mature existing
vegetation. Please show the minimum 100' of mature existing vegetation on the diagram (page 7 of the
narrative and on Sheet C6.1 on the plan), between the property line and the inner 100' of buffer.
ii. The diagram shows 80' of pollinator meadow with a 20' planting strip for the inner 100'. Please reduce the
width of the pollinator meadow to the minimum width necessary to prevent shading of the panels and replace
with mature existing vegetation (if it exists onsite) or an expanded planting strip of native trees and shrubs.
iii. Recommended Buffer Plant List on Sheet C6.1. Please use native and site appropriate species. Technical
experts can provide site specific species recommendations, and the County's Native Plant Database can be
used to select site -appropriate native trees for the landscaping plan. Adding more native woody species to the
list for additional diversity in the planting strip is recommended. Hardwood species such as native oaks would
maximize benefits for biodiversity and may not need to be evergreen (for the inner 100' of the 200' setback).
➢ Tsuga canadensis (Eastern hemlock) - native but not recommended due to the extensive dieback of
hemlocks in our area from the hemlock wooly adelgid.
➢ Magnolia grandiflora and sweet bay magnolia are two different species; neither is native to Albemarle
County and these may not thrive in this soil type.
➢ Ilex glabra - not native to the Piedmont or Albemarle County. This species and Ilex verticillata typically
grow in very wet sites.
➢ Native evergreen replacement species might include Ilex opaca (American holly), Juniperus virginiona
(eastern red cedar), Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel).
W W W.ALBEMARLE.ORG
401 McIntire Roadl Charlottesville, VA 22902-4596
E. Groundcover plantings: Utilization of VA Northern Piedmont ecotypes wherever possible is recommended.
i. Solar Farm Seed Mix includes some non-native species and some that do not seem appropriate for locating
under panels due to their light requirements. Please use native, non-invasive species that are site appropriate.
A native dry woodland species mix can be created by Ernst, which may be more site appropriate and would
maximize benefits for biodiversity.
➢ Please remove non-native species: Festuca ovina var. duriuscula (Hard Fescue 'Jetty' and Hard Fescue
'Gladiator'), Poo pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), and Trifolium repens (White Clover, Dutch). Replace with
native species. P. pratensis and T. repens are also considered to be invasive species in the mid -Atlantic.
ii. VA Solar Pollinator Buffer Mix includes E. purpurea (non-native to Virginia), C. lanceoloto and P. digitalis (nativity
uncertain), and B. oustralis (not native to the Piedmont). Recommend removing non-native species and
including 1-2 native Solidago spp.
iii. VA Northern Piedmont Detention Basin Mix includes appropriate species. However, there is a mix designed
for the same conditions that is used in County -owned detention basins (Albemarle Stormwater Mix).
F. Stream Buffers & Wetlands
The conceptual plan shows avoidance of Water Protection Ordinance Buffers and delineated wetlands. Please
describe any planned management of these areas. Active planting and restoration with native woody riparian
vegetation is recommended for areas that are currently open or impacted from the timber harvest operation.
2. Soil Conservation
A. Much of the project site includes soils mapped as prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance. The
narrative (p8) describes minimization of grading; however, the conceptual plan illustrates extensive grading on the
site. Removal, redistribution, and compaction of soils may impact natural vegetation growth, limit the viability of
proposed plantings, and influence the site's potential for future reversion to agricultural use.
i. Consider reducing the extent of grading on the site and avoid importation of foreign soil to the site.
ii. Consider extending panel height or other measures that work with existing topography to avoid soil impacts.
iii. A site suitability analysis is recommended, including soil analysis and prepping the site prior to planting based
on current conditions (soil pH, nutrient availability, etc.).
iv. Limiting and/or addressing soil compaction after construction and prior to planting is recommended.
V. Include decompaction and other soil remediation measures as part of the decommissioning plan.
3. Roads
A. Please distinguish between existing roads and proposed new internal roads on the conceptual plan.
B. Internal roads are shown between the rows of panels only in some locations. Please describe whether these roads
will be required between all of the blocks of panels, and if/how they will surfaced.
4. Lighting (Narrative p 5&6)
A. Please provide more detail on the specific type of lighting proposed, and the frequency and timing of its use.
B. Outdoor lighting impacts can be minimized by:
Utilizing fully shielded fixtures;
ii. Ensuring all outdoor fixtures have a color temperature of 3000K or less; and
iii. Dimming and/or turning off outdoor lights between 10 PM - 5 AM.
5. Decommissioningalan (p121)
A. Please expand description of (6) Site Restoration to provide more detail. Extensive grading and compaction of soils
may impact the ability of the site to easily return to productive agricultural or forestal uses. Decompaction and
seeding is described but it is unclear whether the costs of these activities are accounted for in Table 7-1.
B. Please describe the process of removal and restoration of internal roads.
6. Chemical Use
A. Please describe how the panels will be cleaned.
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401 McIntire Roadl Charlottesville, VA 22902-4596