Planning Commission Meeting - 2026-03-19
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Hanover County Planning Commission deferred three development cases and approved one ordinance amendment. A 160,020 sq ft warehouse at Lewistown Road (CUP2025-00020) was deferred due to concerns about building size, setbacks, and traffic impacts on the two-lane road. A 67-lot residential subdivision at Cedar Lane (REZ2025-00015 and REZ2025-00022) was denied due to density concerns and impacts on adjacent residents. A 38-unit residential development at Yowell Road and Elmont Road (REZ2025-00021) was deferred for further community engagement.
Key Decisions (7)
Deferral of REZ2025-00023 and CUP2025-00016
Applicant requested deferral of rezoning and conditional use permit cases until April planning commission meeting.
Warehouse CUP at Lewistown Road (CUP2025-00020)
Lewistown Road Industrial Owner LLC requested conditional use permit for 160,020 sq ft warehouse on 16.89 acres zoned M-2. Applicant requested reduced setbacks (67.1 ft from Lewistown Road vs 150 ft required; 62.2 ft from western property line vs 300 ft required). Commission expressed concerns about building size, traffic on two-lane dead-end road, and compatibility with adjacent residential properties.
FY2027-FY2031 Capital Improvements Program
Planning Commission recommended approval of county administrator's proposed five-year capital improvement program including replacement of two elementary schools (Mechanicsville and Elmont), Fire Station 10 replacement, park improvements including pickleball courts at Poor Farm Park, and $149 million in road projects.
Cedar Lane Residential Subdivision (REZ2025-00015)
John A and Jerry B Price requested rezoning of 36.5 acres from A-1 to RS for 67 residential lots at Cedar Lane and Brazil Road intersection. Density of 1.86 units per acre with lots ranging 4,830-6,000 sq ft. Developer was Preston Group/Cornerstone Homes. Commission denied due to concerns about density, road frontage visibility, and headlight impacts on adjacent residents.
Cedar Lane Boundary Line Adjustment (REZ2025-00022)
Cedar Lane 11089 LLC requested rezoning and proffer amendment to reconfigure existing lots adjacent to the Price subdivision. No new lots proposed, only boundary line adjustments of 0.44 and 0.61 acres.
Yowell Road Residential Development (REZ2025-00021)
Victor Glenn Yowell requested rezoning of 39.82 acres at Yowell Road and Elmont Road to RM and A-1 for 38 single-family detached condominiums. Developer is Roger Chenault Inc/RCI Builders. Net density of 1.48 units per acre with 30.27 acres remaining undisturbed. Adjacent to Town of Ashland. Concerns raised about traffic impacts on dairy farm operations and road capacity.
Building Heights Ordinance Amendment (Ordinance 25-07)
Ordinance to clarify building height measurements in commercial and industrial districts by removing references to stories and measuring only in feet. Adds definition for flat roof buildings and allows parapets/mechanical penthouses to exceed height by 4 feet.
Zoning Changes (3)
South line of Cedar Lane at Brazil Road intersection
John A and Jerry B Price
South line of Cedar Lane, east of Brazil Road
Cedar Lane 11089 LLC
Northeast quadrant of Yowell Road and Elmont Road
Victor Glenn Yowell
Development Activity (8)
Lewistown Road Warehouse
160,020 sq ft warehouse on 16.89 acres, 45 ft height, 124 parking spaces, 56 loading bays, 22 trailer spaces, 526 average weekday vehicle trips
The Meadows at Cedar Crossing
67 single-family lots on 36.5 acres, 1.86 units/acre density, lots 4,830-6,000 sq ft, 22.15 acres open space, connection to Fall Line Trail
Yowell Road Development
38 single-family detached condominiums on 39.82 acres, 9.55 acres RM zoning, 30.27 acres A-1 to remain undisturbed, net density 1.48 units/acre, private pump stations for sewer
Mechanicsville Elementary School Replacement
Elementary school replacement funded in FY2028
Elmont Elementary School Replacement
Elementary school replacement funded in FY2030
Fire Station 10 Chickahominy Replacement
Fire station replacement funded in FY2029
Lockwood Pump Station Expansion
Expansion from 15 MGD to 22.3 MGD capacity, design began FY2026, construction FY2027
Totopotomoy Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
3 MGD expansion, $5M design in FY2027, $61.5M construction in FY2030
Market Signals (5)
Commercial Demand
Sub-5% vacancy rate for industrial warehouse space in regional market with over 50% of tenant demand seeking the type of space proposed at Lewistown Road.
Housing Demand
Developer noted buyers are seeking maintenance-free communities with smaller lots to achieve attainable price points of $480,000-$550,000.
Infrastructure
County investing $39M in water expansion projects and $73M in sewer expansion over five years to support suburban service area development.
Sentiment
Strong citizen opposition to data centers continues with requests for one-year moratorium; concerns about health impacts, water usage, and air quality.
Sentiment
Citizens expressed concerns about preserving rural character and agricultural land, noting Hanover lost 15% of farms from 2012-2022 and dairy farms declined from 11 to 1.