COURTLAND
The Southampton Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors were supposed to meet jointly last Thursday to discuss ordinances to govern solar panels. But with the commissioners just barely making a quorum that evening, the decision was made to reschedule the discussion for Wednesday, Oct. 4, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Woodlands.

Mike Johnson, county administrator, said that concerns had arisen on the matter to warrant the two bodies meeting.

“It would be better served if we all get together,” he said.

Michael Drake, lead commissioner, stressed the matter is “an important issue.”

Also that night, four applications for the voluntary agriculture and forestry district were reviewed. Bill Day, one of the commissioners, excused himself as he is involved in the applications. The first, made on behalf of Sarah Day, was for approximately 249.9 acres and on the east side of Porter House Road, south of Cabin Pond Road. The second, also made on behalf of Sarah Day, has approximately 476 acres on the west side of Crumpler Road, south of Old Blackwater Road. Some of the land is within Surry County. The third is for 1,617.08 acres and generally located between Popes Station Road and Carys Bridge Road between Raccoon Creek Drive and Indian Town Road. The fourth, made by Ira Barham and Bill Day, has approximately 545.7 acres and generally located in the area of Indian Town Road, Old Belfield Road, Carys Bridge Road and Rawlings Road.

A public hearing is scheduled for October, followed by the matter coming before the Board of Supervisors in November.

If approved, the land will essentially be protected for future generations.