It is Monday, September 12 and I am Nancy Gill with a James Exchange Quick Take.
In Buckingham, Dominion Energy has asked for a suspension of their industrial solar farm project. Case 22-SUP313 which was scheduled for September 22 for the Planning Commission until further community discussion is held. Letter to the County from Dominion Energy.
This evening the Buckingham Board of Supervisors meet at 6:00 to perform the business of the county.
On the agenda are four public hearings. There is also a comprehensive packet as well.
Of interest, there are four public hearings—the last three are requesting a public hearing be scheduled.
1. Amended 2022-2023 Operating Budget*
2. Case 22-SUP304: Landowner/Applicant: John Yoder; Tax Map 65, Parcel 13, containing approximately 154 acres, located at 2750 Ranson Road Dillwyn, VA 23936, Slate River Magisterial District. Zoned A-1; The Applicant wishes to Obtain a Special Use Permit for the Purpose of Operating a Sawmill. The Applicant is asking the Board of Supervisors to hold a Public Hearing for this request.*
3. Case 22-ZTASUP312: Landowner: Eric and Janet Winslow. Applicant: Northam Manufacturing and Firearm Sales LLC; Tax Map 208, Parcel 1, containing approximately 26.13 acres, located at 255 Deer Run Road Farmville VA 23901, Curdsville Magisterial District. Zoned A-1; Applicant wishes to Add a Zoning Text Amendment for the Manufacturing and Sales of Ammunition, Firearms, and Accessories, to a list of Special Uses in an Agricultural A1 Zoning District and Apply for a Special Use Permit for that purpose. The Applicant is asking the Board of Supervisors to hold a Public Hearing for this request.*
4. Case 22-ZTASUP314: Landowner/Applicant: Joel S. King. Tax Map 95, Parcel 9, containing approximately 66.79 acres, located at 5136 Slate River Mill Road, Maysville Magisterial. District. Zoned A-1. Applicant wishes to Obtain a Special Use Permit for the Purpose of Operating Commercial Repair Shop and a Zoning Text Amendment for a Rental Yard and a Special Use Permit for these purposes. The Applicant is asking the Board of Supervisors to hold a Public Hearing for this request.*
Also, the Scottsville Town Council meets for their monthly work session at 7:00. On the agenda:
Scottsville work session agenda
Capital project updates. (From the agenda)
Police vehicle. Same federal Agriculture Department grant-loan program that we used last year. Total cost $70,000. Ready for action: Council must vote on a resolution related to the grant and loan in order for USDA to process it. There are still delays in shipping vehicles and computer equipment, but the project can be completed by spring.
Canal Basin Square exhibits. Urgent need for repairs. Staff found a skilled local craftsman, Devin Denby, to repair boats. Work has begun within the existing budget, and a fundraiser event is scheduled for October 8th.
Town Hall HVAC. Urgent need for repairs. Town staff found three quotes and ordered the best value system in terms of warranty, energy efficiency, and air quality. Equipment is on order now for installation October 5th.
Town Hall solar panels. On hold. The HVAC project cuts into the budget for this, and new federal programs may provide better funding opportunities in the future. Staff recommend deferring this project to next year.
Electric Vehicle Chargers. New opportunity. Staff learned about an excellent grant program from the US Department of Energy and James Madison University. They pay for up to $14,000 of equipment and installation, which supports four chargers in the Town Hall’s public parking lot. There is no cost to the Town. Drivers pay to charge, fully offsetting the Town’s electric bill.
Dock in Scottsville Lake. A floating dock is a longstanding goal in Van Clief Nature Area. The state wildlife department agreed in 2019 to pay for installing a dock, which the Town will maintain. Funding was unavailable until this year. Installation of the dock will be at the end of September. This is a benefit of roughly $60,000 to the Town.
To close out this episode, I bring the Scottsville Museum’s latest newsletter to your attention. The minimalist title is “Fire” and has photos of the Traveler’s Rest Inn which was located directly behind the Exxon station on Valley and East Main.
On Wednesday, we will post the fourth episode in the James River series. On tap is a conversation with Bill Trout I had with him at the 2021 Batteau Festival in Scottsville.
As always, if you have a story, a song, an issue, or want to have a conversation, contact me.
Elected Officials Meet and a Scottsville Fire