Board approves Route 360 business‑park rezoning with proffers and buffer protections

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning and an associated special exception May 28 to permit a mixed B‑3 and O‑S business‑park development on U.S. Route 360 (Mechanicsville Turnpike) west of Walnut Grove Road.

Planning staff described the proposal as a mostly wooded, 17.21‑acre site with a B‑3 frontage building intended for general retail and six rear office/service buildings under an O‑S designation. The applicant proffered enhanced thoroughfare landscaping along Route 360, a 50‑foot natural buffer where the site abuts residential property, and restrictions on delivery and trash pickup hours (7 a.m.–7 p.m.). Staff also noted proffered transportation improvements: an eastbound left‑turn storage lane on Route 360 into the site and a westbound right‑turn lane with storage, both proffered to be constructed with phase 1.

The applicant provided revised elevations and signed proffers dated May 28 at the board’s request; the applicant also agreed to enhanced foundation materials on buildings visible from Route 360. During public comment a nearby homeowner thanked staff and the applicant and asked for confirmation that the 50‑foot buffer would be preserved and supplemented if existing vegetation did not meet ordinance density; the applicant committed to preserving existing trees in the buffer and to supplemental plantings if necessary to meet county standards.

After a brief recess to review the updated drawings and proffers, supervisors voted to approve the rezoning subject to the submitted proffers and conceptual plan, and separately approved the special exception conditions that allow reduced nonresidential buffer widths where the site abuts similar commercial uses. The zoning approvals include requirements for screening of HVAC and dumpsters, limits on building height, and a cross‑access connection that will link the site entrance with an adjacent commercial property.