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. 

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.

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.

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. 

As part of Hanover’s rural roads safety project, Rural Point Road will be closed overnight from Route 301 to Studley Road beginning Monday, April 21. The closure will take place nightly from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. for approximately two weeks.

Residents who live on Rural Point Road and need to get home after the road closes at 7 p.m. can typically do so by informing a flagger or worker near the closure point that they live within the affected area. They are usually permitted to proceed through the closure, but are advised to drive slowly and remain cautious due to ongoing construction activities.

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.

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.