What Is This About?
A rezoning request was submitted to the Hanover Planning Commission earlier this year to rezone two parcels of land at 16766 and 16780 Mountain Road. If granted, the land parcels will be developed into a 10-pump gas station, tavern, restaurant and office site.
After careful scrutiny of the proposed development as submitted to the Planning Commission, we have come to the conclusion that, as proposed, the development design does not conform to nor complement the current Montpelier “Rural Village” area as designated by the County Comprehensive Plan.
These are our concerns about the development plan as it currently stands:
Contradicts the “Rural Village” atmosphere of Montpelier
• Years ago, a request to rezone this same property at 16780 Mountain Road [Case: C-25-96(c)] was DENIED
• Subject parcels are located near 19 Historical sites of which 12 are on the National Register
• Subject parcels are located adjacent to and near several residential communities
• Bright gas station lighting, large signage and noise of this development will adversely impact the nearby residential areas
• Gas pumps are sited too close to Rt. 33 and therefore intrude on the landscape
Public safety and health issues
• Water quality will be adversely affected by a large volume of runoff mixed with oil and gasoline from the large paved areas at the gas station
• A gas station, convenience store and restaurant in one location may have too much sewage for a conventional septic system to handle, which Valero and Food Lion have already experienced
• Submitted proposal has placed the entrance and exit very close to the curve on Rt. 33 just west of the development and east of Lane Mill Road
• East bound cars on Rt. 33 into the gas station will stop traffic and create a traffic jam, especially during the morning commute; cars emerging onto Rt. 33 and turning east bound will be unsafe
Hopefully, the Planning Commission will take these concerns to heart and work with the developer to reach a compromise that will benefit both the developer and the residents of Montpelier.
What Can You Do?
1) You will have an opportunity to speak in favor of or in opposition to the rezoning request at the Planning Commission’s meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2018, at 7:00pm.
2) Ensure that the Planning Commission hears your voice by also signing the petition below. All that is required is your name, email address and street address. IMPORTANT: You can also include a personal message. Just type your comments into the box that says YOUR PERSONAL COMMENTS. If you want to receive a copy of the petition sent to your email, check the box that says BCC YOURSELF.
By clicking on the Send Now button, the petition, will be sent to the following Hanover Planning Commission members:
- Henry District – Jerry Bailey
- Chickahominy District – Steven F. Hadra
- Cold Harbor District – Fredric I. McGhee, Jr.
- Beaverdam District – Edmonia Iverson
- South Anna District – Larry Leadbetter
- Mechanicsville District – Randy Whittaker
- Ashland District – Alan Abbott
As stated on our Home Page,
We are PRO CONTROLLED GROWTH. We understand that businesses contribute more tax revenue than they typically consume and that a mix of residential and commercial growth makes sense.
We believe new development should be appropriate in scale and designed to complement the unique character of Montpelier and done with good judgment and planning so that we all can coexist in harmony.
We encourage you to take these small but important steps to voice your opinion on how to preserve the Montpelier we all love to call home.
We respect your Privacy. Your name, address and email address will not be shared with anyone.