Some residents have received a letter from Dominion dated September 17, 2020 stating their intention to add up to 20 feet in height to the parking deck below Oregon Hill for a solar array.
While most Oregon Hill residents are probably in support of Dominion going solar, this appears to violate the “Declaration of Restrictive Covenants” that was signed by by Dominion in 2001.
From Laurel Street resident Charles Pool:
Dear Mr. Sarfo-Kantanka, Dominion External Affairs Manager
According to the information provided on your website, the proposed solar collector on top of the existing parking deck at the Dominion headquarters on Tredegar street would rise to 108 feet in height. This is in clear violation of the “Declaration of Restrictive Covenants” that Dominion signed in 2001.
According to this “Declaration of Restrictive Covenants”, Dominion agreed to limit the building heights to 65′ in this location where the parking deck is located. (Please see the attached “Declaration of Restrictive Covenants” with the attached plat.)
As you know, we have one of the most famous and noteworthy views of the James River at the fall line from Oregon Hill park. Dominion has already obscured some of this view with their new trading building and older tower.
Some of us remember the battle in 2000 with Dominion to protect our view. As stated in the attached article by Michael Paul Williams: “Now, people in Oregon Hill worry that Dominion, having kept its riverfront property off limits, will ultimately block or mar the river view beyond its boundaries. The property belongs to Dominion. But the river belongs to all of us. Who gets priority? It depends on your point of view.”
While we probably all support solar power, this small number of panels could be put anywhere and it is not necessary to violate the “Declaration of Restrictive Covenants” to put them in one of the state’s most important views.
Please let us know if Dominion will respect the “Declaration of Restrictive Covenants” that you signed in 2001.
Sincerely,
Charles Pool