At this time, Hanover County has issued site plan approval and commercial building permits for buildings A and B. No specific tenants have been announced yet. As construction progresses on the shell buildings, we anticipate receiving tenant upfit permits, which may identify the individual businesses moving into each space.

We hear this question a lot! It’s important to know Hanover County does not decide what types of businesses open in our community. Private companies — like car washes — choose where to locate based on market demand, available land and zoning regulations.

As long as a proposed business meets the zoning and development requirements for a property, and follows all applicable codes, the County cannot prevent it from moving forward — even if there are already similar businesses nearby. 

In short: Hanover doesn't recruit car washes, and we don’t limit how many can open. 

Tidal Wave Auto Spa (SPR2023-00008) is planned at Route 360/Bell Creek Road. You can view the site plan here. 

Hanover Associates, L.L.C. submitted 5 applications to Hanover County for a property located on the southeast corner of Mechanicsville Turnpike and Creighton Parkway, in the Cold Harbor District.

Learn more on our website here.

The following site plans have been approved: 

• 7-Eleven (SPR2023-00037)
• Advance Auto Parts (SPR2024-00015)
• Stony Run Self Storage (SPR2024-00042)
• Take 5 Oil Change (SPR2023-00040) 

The following site plans have been submitted and are under review: 

• Aldi (SPR2024-00023)
• Bank of America (SPR2024-00051)
• Christian Brothers Automotive (SPR2023-00061)
• Panda Express (SPR2024-00038) 

You can view the site plans here. We will continue to update this page as we learn more. 

Kroger (SPR2024-00001) is planned next to AutoZone/Firestone at Route 360/Compass Point Lane. You can view the site plan here.

At this time, Hanover County has not received any information regarding changes to the current Kroger location on Route 360.

The private sector determines the timing of development, based upon market conditions. While the County reviews associated zoning requests and development plans, the developer determines when to pursue construction. 

The planned development at the southwest corner of Route 301/New Ashcake Road is Caldwell Park. The site was originally rezoned to permit mixed-use development in 2015, with a subsequent zoning amendment in 2020. The original rezoning includes Rutland Grove, which has been developed south of Totopotomoy Creek. A site plan has been approved for a planned apartment community (SPR2020-00035) and building permits were issued in April 2025. With the approved zoning, townhouses, offices and commercial development are planned. 

A rezoning request was approved in August 2024 (REZ2024-00003) to allow commercial development at the northeast corner of Washington Highway/Kings Acres Road, but no site plans have been submitted within the planned development. 

Wong's Tacos is being built in front of Atlee Branch Library and behind PBR on Route 301.

View the site plan for SPR2024-00022 here.

It’s important to know Hanover County does not decide what types of businesses open in our community. Private companies choose where to locate based on market demand, available land and zoning regulations.

Hanover’s strategic location along major transportation corridors has made the area attractive for logistics and distribution businesses. 

To allow for more public input and review of the potential impact of these developments, the Board of Supervisors amended the zoning ordinance in July 2023. Now, larger warehouse and distribution facilities must obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) before construction can begin.

This CUP process includes notification to nearby property owners and public hearings before both the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, providing residents an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns.

Proposals for data centers are submitted by private landowners, not initiated by the Board of Supervisors. The Board’s role is to review these requests through the public process, which includes Planning Commission meetings and public hearings.

Residents are encouraged to share feedback in person at these meetings or contact their supervisor directly. Contact information is available on our website.

Hanover values citizen input; however, the County does not select or control the specific businesses that locate on privately owned property. The County’s role is to review proposals to ensure they meet zoning, land use and development standards. 

To allow for greater community input, Hanover has recently updated its zoning ordinance to require certain uses — including larger distribution centers, vape shops and car washes — to obtain a conditional use permit before construction. This public process includes hearings where neighbors and community members may provide feedback that becomes part of the official record and is considered in decision-making.

Citizen input also helps guide future planning efforts, zoning updates and comprehensive plan amendments that shape long-term development and sustainability in Hanover County. 

Hanover County’s property tax assessments follow state law, which ensures that each property’s value is fair and well-documented. Your tax bill is calculated by applying the County’s tax rate to the property’s assessed value.

The Assessor’s Office determines property values using a market-adjusted cost approach, a common practice in the assessment industry. Each property is assessed individually, so the value of nearby businesses does not directly affect your home’s assessed value.

Hanover’s tax rate, set annually by the Board of Supervisors, is the lowest in the region and has remained at 81 cents per $100 of assessed value for many years. Hanover’s rising property values are largely driven by the real estate market. In 2025, the median existing home sale price in Hanover increased 1.1% to $450,000, while the median new home price rose 3.5% to $620,185.

Building and operating an entirely independent water system would take many years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

That said, Hanover’s Department of Public Utilities has been planning ahead. Even before the January water outage, the County had begun evaluating options for a long-term additional water source. Funding to begin this work has already been set aside starting in Fiscal Year 2028, as outlined in the adopted budget.

Right now, DPU is updating its Utility Master Plan to assess potential alternative water sources and the timelines for building the infrastructure. This includes the complex and lengthy process of permitting a new water withdrawal, designing the facility and constructing the system.

Even with a new long-term water source, buying water from Richmond will continue for the foreseeable future to meet the County’s growing needs. 

Hanover remains committed to finding the most cost-effective and reliable long-term solution to meet the County’s future water needs.

In episode 12 of our Hear In Hanover podcast, County Administrator John A. Budesky and Director of Public Utilities Matt Longshore join us to answer your questions, explain how our regional water partnership works and share what’s being done to ensure safe, reliable water for Hanover’s future. Watch or listen here and on your favorite streaming platform.

A revised rezoning application has been submitted for the portion of the Iron Horse project in Hanover County outside of the Town of Ashland. 

The maximum building height requested has been reduced to 75 feet and the residential portion of the rezoning request has been removed. 

The case numbers are REZ2025-00010 and SE2025-00009. View more here.

There are adult sports leagues happening throughout Hanover for individuals in their 20s, 30s and 40s — they’re just not facilitated directly by Hanover County Parks and Recreation. 

These leagues, which include basketball, softball, pickleball and more, are hosted by local organizations and take place at both County and private facilities. You can find a list of adult sports opportunities here.

Hanover County has four courts available at Pole Green Park and three indoor courts made available at specific times at Montpelier Recreation Center and Library. You can find the schedule for Montpelier Recreation Center and Library's pickleball courts here.

Parks and Recreation is creating 18 additional courts across multiple parks over the next two years. County leaders are finalizing site engineering for the new courts in preparation for seeking an amendment to each parks' Conditional Use Permit. 

Public Utilities is currently completing a water supply feasibility analysis with plans to present the findings of the study by early spring. The study analyzes the technical and financial feasibility of a new water treatment plant in the County with a withdrawal on the Pamunkey River, additional interconnections with Henrico County on an emergency and permanent basis, and water transmission improvements needed within the Hanover system. Once the study has been presented to the Board of Supervisors, the presentation and final report will be made available to the public.

Hanover County and VDOT have already implemented several safety improvements at this intersection, including flashing caution lights, four sets of rumble strips and multiple warning signs. Despite these efforts, accidents continue to occur. That’s why the County is engaging an engineering consultant to conduct an in-depth alternatives analysis for the intersection. The results will be presented to our Transportation Committee and Board of Supervisors for review.

This section of the Atlee Station Road Widening Project will occur in two phases.

The first phase, Atlee Station Road Widening Phase II, will go from Atlee High School to Kings Charter Drive. This phase is scheduled to go to construction in spring of 2028 and be completed fall of 2029.

The second phase of widening, Atlee Station Road Widening Phase III, will go from Kings Charter Drive to Sliding Hill Road. This phase is scheduled to go to construction in the spring of 2031 and be completed fall of 2032.

Details of both projects can be found here.

Construction of the roundabout at Routes 54 and 301 is currently anticipated to begin in summer 2028 and be completed by spring 2029.

A detailed Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan has not yet been finalized; however, the County will ensure that local access for residents and businesses is maintained throughout construction. Traffic control measures will include advance and on-site signage to notify drivers of changes in traffic patterns before and during construction.

While the County does not plan to use St. Paul’s Church Road as a detour route, potential flagger station locations continue to be evaluated in relation to the roadway as part of the ongoing traffic planning process.

Learn more about Hanover County road projects.

The County purchased land in 2023 to relocate Mechanicsville High School and Bell Creek Middle School, but it was never intended to be built right away. The plan has always been to build the high school about 10 years after the land was purchased, which puts construction several years out. In the meantime, the County is prioritizing more immediate needs, like replacing aging elementary schools and adding capacity where it's needed now.

You can learn more here.

Hanover County Parks and Recreation understands that there is strong community desire for splash pads in County parks, providing unique aquatic play opportunities for visitors. The department has been exploring the feasibility and associated costs of construction/operation for these kinds of facilities. Availability of public water and sewer service within County parks has created a number of challenges with the planning process. Funding for splash pad construction was introduced as part of the Department’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request.

Hanover County Public Schools is proud to be replacing Battlefield Park Elementary School with a new school building scheduled to open for the 2026-27 school year.

More information can be found here.

You can keep up with the status of Henry Clay Elementary School at engage.hanovercounty.gov/hces.

Funding for a new restroom at Hanover Wayside Park is available. Planning and design of the new facility are already underway with completion slated for late 2026/early 2027. Additional improvements to the trail system and wayfinding signage will take place in 2026. 

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan was recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors and includes several key strategies to improve overall service delivery, including strategies for park expansion. The plan calls for the addition of 3-6 neighborhood parks within the Suburban Services Area (SSA) over the next 10 years. Neighborhood parks are classified as spaces between 1-20 acres that include amenities such as playgrounds, short walking trails, natural areas and picnic facilities. The Atlee corridor is entirely within the SSA. Exact location, sizing and timing of park development will be dependent on land acquisition opportunities.

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan also calls for an additional regional park (100+ acres) within the central or eastern portions of the county over the next 20 years that would serve the Atlee and Mechanicsville areas. Land acquisition opportunities may allow for faster development of an eastern/central regional park. View the 2035 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Please feel free to contact the Director of Parks and Recreation, Aaron Reidmiller, with any additional questions at aareidmiller@hanovercounty.gov or 804-365-4690.

Hanover County Public Schools is proud to be replacing Washington-Henry Elementary School with a new school building that is scheduled to open for the 2027-28 school year.

More information can be found here.