Botetourt County votes for Publix, against solar facility at Board of Supervisors meeting
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved a Publix grocery store and denied a permit for a utility-scale solar energy facility. During public comment, a resident criticized the county administrator's handling of a past data center decision, claiming the board was misled. The board ultimately reappointed the administrator despite these concerns.
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors convened for a meeting to address various short-term and long-term development projects, making several key decisions after public comment and discussions with developers.
During the Tuesday evening session, the board voted to approve a Special Exemption Permit for Fralin & Waldron, the developers behind the Daleville Town Center. This approval paves the way for a new Publix grocery store and a drive-thru pharmacy, a decision welcomed by Supervisor Tim Snyer, who stated the new amenities would benefit residents in Daleville and Fincastle.
Conversely, the board, in alignment with the Botetourt County Planning Commission, denied a Special Exemption Permit requested by OneEnergy Renewables. The company had sought to build a utility-scale solar energy facility, asserting it would provide clean, renewable energy without environmental impact, but the board had doubts. Supervisor Tim Snyer noted that community sentiment often plays a significant role in such decisions.
Earlier, during a public comment session, residents voiced concerns about the reappointment of county administrator Gary Larrowe to the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission. Resident Melissa Smith specifically criticized Larrowe's alleged inadequate preparation of the board for an informed decision regarding a past data center project, suggesting the board felt misled. Despite these claims, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to reappoint Larrowe.