After Strata Solar, LLC, added a number of conditions regarding a proposed solar energy facility on Route 14 near Toddsbury Lane, the Gloucester Planning Commission voted 7-0 last Thursday night to forward a recommendation of approval on to the county’s Board of Supervisors.

The action followed a 45-minute presentation by county planning staff, a 45-minute presentation by an attorney representing Strata, and 45 minutes of citizen comments. Strata’s attorney then had a 10-minute rebuttal, before commissioners had some discussion of the project.

Strata, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has filed an application for a conditional use permit to erect the solar facility on an approximately 203-acre site that it has arranged to lease heading east on Route 14 starting at Toddsbury Lane. A CUP is needed for a utility grade solar facility, which is the largest of three sizes permitted in the county.

Roger Bowers, a Richmond attorney representing Strata, said the company plans...