In 2016, Mecklenburg County received two utility-scale solar facility special exception permits (SEP) for the Bluestone and the Grasshopper applications. The Bluestone application outlined a 332.5-acre, 49.9 MW facility while the Grasshopper application described a 946-acre, 80 MW facility. At the time, the County’s Comprehensive Plan did not address guidelines for utility-scale solar facilities. Given both the size and scale of the proposed projects, there were numerous land

Middleburg is perhaps the most picturesque town in Virginia. With a mix of history, natural beauty, and small-town charm, the town is a popular attraction and threatened by its own popularity. With its roots in the American Revolution, Middleburg was once a wagon road stopover and trading center for Loudoun County, but in the early 20th century became the center of equestrian sports in Virginia, and an attractive weekend getaway from nearby Washington DC. Now, increasing su