By a 4-2 margin Tuesday night, Gloucester supervisors voted to deny conditional use permits for a pair of proposed solar energy facilities on Maryus and Ditch Bank roads.
The action was taken following public hearings for the two proposals; hearings where many came out to voice their opposition to the solar farms, which would have encompassed 11 acres and 13.5 acres.
Vice chairman Christopher Hutson and at-large supervisor Kevin Smith cast the two votes against denying the CUPs. Board chair Robert “JJ” Orth was not in attendance.
Many Guinea residents came to Gloucester’s colonial courthouse to voice opposition towards the project. The common concern from neighbors had to do with the solar facilities focused on the threat of environmental harm and the potential to lowering property values.
Theresa Freeman was one of those voicing her concerns about the potential of toxic runoff from solar panels. Freeman and others said they feared that chemicals from the panels had the potential to le...