The East Ashland development has gotten the go-ahead from Hanover County supervisors, clearing the last hurdle for the mixed-use development that straddles the town-county border.
The Ashland Town Council gave its approval April 20.
Final changes include acquiring property to build an entrance to the development from state Route 54 across from Woodside Lane, placing age restrictions on 22 housing units, creating a landscaped median for Route 54, and reducing the total number of dwelling units in the county by five to 599.
The Ashland portion of the development will have 224 residential units.
More than 300,000 square feet of commercial or retail space will be built in the county, with more than 500,000 square feet of commercial or retail in the town.
Supervisors were unanimous in their support.
Aubrey M. Stanley, who represents the Beaverdam District, said he had been through 44 meetings with constituents as development plans worked their way through various approvals.
"This is going to be a very large development," he said. "If we're going to have a development here, let's have one of the better ones we can have."
The board also dealt with problems of growth at the annual Tomato Festival, which attracted 42,000 people on a perfect summer day last year and backed up traffic on Pole Green Road nearly to Interstate 295.
For this summer's festival on July 10, the county will have additional parking areas near the wastewater treatment facility and will use a private road, Tate Road, for access.
Residents protested that they maintain the narrow gravel road, will not be able to get to their homes easily during the festival, and have concerns about safety and liability issues.
Charles D. McGhee, who represents the Henry District, moved for approval with conditions suggested by the county, and other supervisors agreed. The parks department will improve the road before and after the festival. A landscaped buffer and fence separating Tate Road from the park also will be extended with a locked gate.
Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or kcalos@timesdispatch.com.
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