HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- The Hanover County Planning Commission approved plans for Wegmans to build a $175 million Wegmans distribution center near Sliding Hill Road and Ashcake Road. The county said the new center would create over 700 jobs and take up more than a million square feet of land.
Some neighbors who live near the proposed center shared their concerns with county planners on how the center will impact safety, traffic, and their quality of life.
“My encouragement to y’all is to give us more time as Hanover county residents," Mary Helen Crowder urged planners. "My second question for y’all, is how close do y’all live to this facility?"
“There’s traffic already and now you’re saying put tractor trailers on there and other employee cars," neighbor Cathy Billups said. "Then start thinking sidewalks, cross walks, and start using these tax dollars to provide safety for your residents.”
According to Wegmans, a traffic impact analysis has been prepared which shows Wegmans will generate a total 2,864 vehicle trips per day. Nearly 250 trips will occur in the morning peak hour and 263 trips will occur in the evening peak hour. If those numbers hold true, it would be approximately 85 percent fewer vehicles than permitted under the current zoning.
Wegmans' own studies showed significantly lower traffic generation based on a similar Pennsylvania distribution center.
With planning commission approval, the proposal now advances to the Hanover County Board of Supervisors for a final approval. The public will also have the chance to weigh in during public comment at the meeting. Additional information is available here.
