The Suffolk City Council voted unanimously Wednesday, Jan. 21 to approve a conditional use permit for a 4.9-megawatt solar farm on Whaleyville Boulevard, allowing the project on 40 acres of an 81-acre agricultural site.
Council members discussed how much farmland should be used for solar projects, how the facility could affect nearby properties, and whether the city’s updated solar rules are strong enough to address past concerns.
Planning Director Kevin Wyne said the project requires a conditional use permit because solar facilities are not allowed by right in agricultural zoning districts.
Wyne said the proposal meets Suffolk’s updated solar standards, which were revised in 2025. Those standards focus on noise, setbacks, and screening.
As part of the application, the developer submitted a noise study showing inverter sound would stay within allowed limits beyond the property line. Wyne said staff reviewed the study and recommended approval with conditions that require the project to meet those limits.
The site includes dense vegetation, and staff said mature trees would help screen the solar facility from Whaleyville Boulevard and nearby properties.
Although the vote was unanimous, several council members said their support came with limits.
Council Member Shelly Butler-Barlow said she continues to struggle with the loss of farmland, even when projects meet current rules.
“I just want to say, it's well known that I am not a proponent of solar energy facilities,” Butler-Barlow said. “However, I think this is a great demonstration of the strength of our ordinance and the rules that we put in place, and a company being very willing to comply and go over actually what we're asking. So, I want it to be on record that I still don’t like solar, but I think this pretty good plan.”
Council Member Timothy Johnson also said he generally opposes solar projects but believed the applicant made meaningful changes.
“Of all the solar plans that have been presented to us up to this point, this one actually listened to what we said and presents itself as a plan that could very possibly work,” Johnson said. “I'm still not in favor of solar … I just want to tell the public why I'm going to vote in favor of this, because I do not support solar, but I do think this one comes closer to gaining my support than not. I hope it works.”
Mayor Michael Duman said the city has tightened its solar rules over time and placed limits on how much agricultural land can be used for solar development.
“I believe that we have addressed that problem sufficiently,” Duman said, referring to inverter noise concerns raised during earlier hearings.
Duman also said Suffolk is nearing its self-imposed cap on solar use in agricultural areas.
No residents spoke for or against the project during the public hearing.
After the hearing closed, Council Member LeOtis Williams made a motion to approve the permit. The motion passed 8–0 without further discussion.
Under the approval, the developer must meet all conditions listed in the staff report. Those include noise limits, required setbacks, and compliance with the approved site plan.
Council members said the decision shows that Suffolk will continue to allow solar projects, but only when they meet stricter standards, limit land use, and follow recently adopted rules. As the city approaches its cap, future proposals are expected to face closer review.

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