After a 30-day deferral on CPA2022-06, Ashland Town Council on April 18 at their 6:30 p.m. meeting will consider this Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change land use to allow the rezoning application for Ironhorse Business Park.

The proposed industrial and interstate commercial development is approximately 230 acres that straddles the Town’s eastern border with Hanover County along Rte 54. The Town’s portion of the development is about 100 acres. Traffic woes, environmental degradation and damage to existing neighborhoods are major concerns for citizens.

An April 11 joint Community Meeting of Town and County citizens, Planning staffs and developer was a contentious, unfruitful two-hour event held in Copley Hall on the Randolph-Macon College campus. After remarks from the respective Planning staffs, developers and their attorney held the floor for most of that time, often touting the attributes of their Ironhorse proposal over the defunct East Ashland project of ten years past. This choice of presentation was irrelevant, confusing and dismal. After almost 90 minutes of the “developer’s meeting”, residents were finally able to ask questions and make comments by shouting from the floor for speaking time.

Quality of life will take a hit if this uninspired and uninspiring development is given a green light. Wise and thoughtful land use planning is imperative if Ashland and Hanover County wish to retain a sense of place different from “Anywhere, USA.”

Attend the Town Council meeting, Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall. Contact your Town Council and Supervisors: https://hanoversfuture.org/Contacts/.

Speak up for a better vision for Ashland and Hanover.

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