Welcome to the Maysville Voice, the newsletter for those who live and vote in the Maysville District in Buckingham County. I am pleased to bring you lots of information, links, and resources to inform and engage with you as your County Supervisor.
First off, I participated virtually during our Monday, Feb. 14. 2022 meeting due to the fact that I had a direct exposure to a serious case of COVID-19. As I have said, if you are able, please get vaccinated and boosted. See below for two upcoming clinics in our community.
We held four public hearings, including the following: a special use permit to consider an AirBnB and event center on Route 24. As this SUP contains a portion of property in my district, I have been in constant communication with the applicant since and prior to our Monday meeting. We amended the advertised conditions to reflect the following, which I discussed with the applicant prior to our meeting: No more than 2,000 guests rather than 3,500, a max of 200 people in planned in attendance before law enforcement is notified three weeks prior to any event (rather than 300), notifying adjoining landowners before any large event, and no music between 9 PM and 11 AM (rather than 9 PM and 8 AM). While I was not in support of the original project conditions, I voted in favor of the amended conditions.
We also approved an AirBnB and Breakfast, campsites, and an event center; continuing the agricultural use that has been consistent with the existing Special Use Permit at the BARN on Route 60; and a Special Use Permit for an AirBnB on Belle Meade Lane.
We also took up two small-scale solar facilities, which were approved. Both, which will be located on Gravel Hill Road and Route 20, are 2 megawatts and on small parcels.
We honored former longtime Planning Commissioner Dabney Crews, who served on the Buckingham County Planning Commission for many years, and offered leadership, guidance, and sound planning advice to the Commission and Board. J.D. Crews has been appointed to represent the Maysville District.
We also heard from the school division regarding budget updates (mostly federal monetary changes), which we approved; reaffirmed our vote for the incentive package for the proposed new hotel—which is a go; agreed to explore refinancing two holder high rate loans; discussed consideration of joining a new regional economic development organization the CRC is working on; accepted a $17,000 donation from Kyanite Mining Corp. to the Buckingham County Department of Emergency Service; accepted $15,000 back from the County Extension Office, approved an lease agreement with the Buckingham County Youth League for the use of Gene Dixon Memorial Park; agreed to hold a public hearing in March regarding our Solid Waste Ordinance; among other business.
Second Public Hearing Coming for Solar Facility on Feb. 28 – A Joint Hearing
We will soon take up, again, the 149.5 mega watt solar facility as an introduction from staff for a Special Use Permit. We scheduled to set a Monday, Feb. 28, 2022 joint hearing with the Planning Commission on this matter. In November, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-2, following a very lengthy public hearing, to approve of this facility that would be sited on roughly 2,000 acres in northeastern Buckingham County.
The solar panels would encompass about 900 acres of the 2,000. Last year, I intently listened to and read all submitted comments from the public during the meeting, and engaged with landowners and those with concerns and supporters of the project. The numerous conditions and rules we have approved and the siting agreement for Riverstone go above and beyond in ensuring that this project will ensure the protection of the environment and the well-being of those who live near the project’s footprint. These include a 350-foot setback from existing residences, buffers within and around the entire project, strict erosion and storm water control measures, wildlife corridors, numerous runoff basins, and third party, professional consultants to review all plans before construction. Additionally, this is clean, green energy and Buckingham will benefit from this project. Solar energy is clean, safe, and ecologically beneficial. The project will emit no carbon pollution, release no heavy metals, acid gases or small particles, and require no water to operate.
Riverstone Solar represents an initial capital investment of about $190 million. Based on the county’s adoption of the revenue share ordinance option, it is estimated that the project will initially contribute about $209,000 per year. This amount will escalate by 10 percent every five years, with the total county revenue under the revenue share anticipated to be about $12.7 million over the project’s 40 year life. Additionally, the project will contribute real estate taxes that are estimated to be around $2.1 million over the project’s 40 year life. In November, we also voted 4-2 on the siting agreement, which we will also hold a public hearing on Feb. 28. This memorializes many of the financial benefits of the project, including professional, third party reviews of the project.
Riverstone will create about 480 full-time equivalent positions during construction, many positions of which will be targeted for Buckingham County residents, representing about $24.3 million in wages in our county’s construction sector. Once operational, Riverstone will provide more than 355,400 megawatts of clean, green energy to the local transmission grid, which is enough to power about 30,000 homes annually. Several full time jobs will be created after construction, which, again, will be targeted toward hiring Buckingham residents.
VDOT Projects
Route 24/60 – Installing centerline markings on Route 24. See photo below.
Route 665 – Road closing. Motorists should expect delays due to a culvert replacement project. Route 665 (Fanny White Road) will be temporarily closed from Route 631 (Troublesome Creek Road) to Route 60 (James Anderson Hwy). Road closure is planned until March 11, 2022.
Piedmont Health District Offers Five COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
in Prince Edward, Buckingham Counties
FARMVILLE, Va. – The Piedmont Health District will offer five additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics next week in Prince Edward and Buckingham counties. The clinic will offer first, second, additional primary and booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines at no cost to the public.
The times and locations of the clinics are:
Monday, February 21 9 to 11 a.m. Farmville Farmer’s Market, 213 North St., Farmville
Monday, February 21 2 to 5:30 p.m. Dollar General, 8255 Patrick Henry Highway, Green Bay
Wednesday, February 23 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Farmville Farmer’s Market, 213 North St., Farmville
Friday, February 25 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Crystal Cathedral, 16764 Oak St., Dillwyn
Friday, February 25 2 to 5:30 p.m. Dollar General, 4814 Penlan Road, New Canton
These clinics are all outdoors. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Our next Board of Supervisors regular meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in the Peter Francisco Board Room in the County Administration Complex on Route 60. This will serve as our Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission with regards to the large solar project. I encourage you to attend to learn more about your County Government and how your tax dollars are spent. If you’re unable to attend in person, you can view our meeting live here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfIL3rVTUEqgxBwXCQoBDTA.
Here is a link to where our agenda and full Board Packet will be posted: https://buckinghamcountyva.org/administration/boards___commissions/board_of_supervisors/board_agenda_minutes_youtube.php. Should you have any questions or concerns about anything contained in the
packet or on the agenda, please reach out to me. My contact information is below at the end of this newsletter.
Public Comments may be made in person or by using the following methods:
In person Public Comments must sign up to speak. Sign up times are 5:30 p.m. to 5:55 p.m.
Written comments may be mailed to the Board of Supervisors at PO Box 252 Buckingham, VA 23921. Please limit word count to 500 words.
Emailed comments may be sent to publiccomments@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov. Please limit word count to 500 words.
Telephone voicemail comments may be left to be played to the board by calling 434-969-5039
To appear virtually to the Board of Supervisors for comments please email publiccomments@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov. You will receive notice with the link and/or telephone number necessary to connect virtually during the meeting.
Please note: Please state your name, district, address, and which hearing you are commenting on. The three (3) minute rule will apply to public comments. All correspondence must be received only by the methods above, and are due by 12:00 PM the day of the meeting.
Contact Me
As always, if I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or text me at 434-390-7023, email me at jmiles@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov, or visit me at 13170 West James Anderson Highway, Buckingham Court House Village on Route 60.
Humbly serving you,
Jordan
Thomas Jordan Miles III
Chairman, Buckingham County Board of Supervisors
District Four Supervisor (Maysville)
434-390-7023
13170 West James Anderson Highway
PO Box 188
Buckingham, Virginia 23921
Maysville District Supervisor Thomas Jordan Miles III 
Thanks again for keeping us updated so clearly. Keep up the good work!
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