HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- The Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved a controversial Wegmans Distribution Center by a 4-3 vote at their meeting Wednesday.
The project met one last push of resistance from Hanover County residents prior to the start of the 7 p.m. meeting.
“A project like this doesn’t belong in a residential area period," Anite Philip said.
The $175 million project was approved by the Hanover County planning commission in February.
It would take up more than one million square feet of land near the intersection of Sliding Hill Road and Ashcake Road.
“We think it's something that’s going to benefit the county, benefit the community and as well be able to provide for a more efficient layout for the property itself," Wegmans representative, Andy Condlin said.
Wegmans gave details of the plans to board members on Wednesday,which included new zoning amendments that they said would help protect communities in the surrounding area.
Only three people showed up to support the plan.
“Frankly I’m quite excited and I believe that they will come into this county to be a partner and they’ll do it in a safe and efficient manner that it’s responsible for all of our businesses and all of our residents here in the county," one Hanover County resident said.
Others believe the approval would bring economic growth.
“The sooner the new facilities will open, the sooner the 700 permanent jobs will exist in Hanover count and the sooner Wegmans will be paying taxes. And that’s something we need right now," another resident added.
Meanwhile, more than two dozen people spoke against the distribution center being built.
“For them to stand up here and tell us they’re working with the citizens, it's not true. They know how to work with citizens, they did it in their hometown, they’re not doing it here."
“These are people lives and communities that have invested their money, their love their work into this community," resident Besty Guthrie said. "Now the next chapter in this community is centered around a distribution center the size of the Pentagon."
For a breakdown of the project, click here.
