For the first time, an  interactive General Land Use Plan Map was created, allowing users to search their address to determine the land use designations applied to their property. When a user clicks on the land use designation, there is description of that designation and recommended uses, improving transparency and access to information.

The Engage Hanover Citizens Academy launched in Fall 2024, with participating residents learning about County processes and functions. One session focused specifically on community planning. Similar presentations have been provided to other community groups to educate stakeholders about zoning and long-range planning efforts (Land Use Game Changer #4).

The General Land Use Plan identifies three rural villages. Each village has a unique development pattern, including a mix of uses and buildings situated close to the road. There was not a specific zoning district that accommodated existing or recommended development in these areas, so a new zoning district was created (Land Use Game Changer #5).

The Department of Public Works is developing a pedestrian/bicycle prioritization scoring tool, which will prioritize projects based on guidance provided in Envision Hanover’s Chapter 7: Active Living. Hanover County has been developing (and pursuing funding for) transportation improvements aimed at improving pedestrian mobility within focus areas identified in Envision Hanover, including new sidewalks and pedestrian crossings at Hanover Courthouse (Active Living Game Changer #2).

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The Fall Line Trail will open in September 2025. 

A historically African-American community (Cobbs Road) was zoned industrial in the 1970s with limited community feedback. As part of the Envision Hanover planning process, the Board of Supervisors became aware of how industrial zoning applied  in the 1970s impacted existing residential properties. In 2024, the community was zoned back to a residential zoning district with property owners’ consent, implementing Land Use Game Changer #3.

Staff reports analyzing zoning requests have been revamped to provide an in-depth review of how each request relates to the Comprehensive Plan, with detailed tables describing how each proposal aligns with design-based recommendations (Land Use Game Changer #1). Photos and diagrams are incorporated into the reports to illustrate key concepts.

Small Area Plans are being developed for Economic Development Zones (EDZs) identified in Envision Hanover. These plans provide more detailed recommendations for targeted areas (Land Use Game Changer #2).

The U.S. Route 33 Gateway Small Area Plan was adopted in August 2025. A plan is currently being developed for the U.S. Route 1 Corridor (South of Ashland). The Board of Supervisors ranked and prioritized EDZs where future small area plans will be completed.

The County is updating the Parks and Recreation Master Plan,  Water and Wastewater Master Plan, and Airport Master Plan to align with Envision Hanover, with these planning processes expanding upon public engagement from the Comprehensive Plan Update (Community Facilities Game Changer #2).

During the planning process, stakeholders provided feedback regarding different use types, identifying potential impacts these uses may have on surrounding properties. Ordinance amendments were developed and/or adopted to address these use types (Land Use Game Changer #5): 

• Wholesale Distribution

• Vehicle + Equipment Storage

• Vape Shops

• Short-Term Rentals

• Secondary Kitchens

• Car Washes (pending)

Hanover County Board of Supervisors and Administration recognized the needs from its citizens for high-speed internet in rural areas. After significant planning efforts, Hanover was awarded a VATI grant to serve almost 7,000 homes and businesses that are unserved and underserved.  The project is well underway with about 50% of the backbone fiber installed and home connections started in April 2025.  Receiving the VATI funding for this project was a huge success for the County and we are eager to complete all home connections by the end of 2026. Additional grants have been awarded to improve broadband access in additional areas (Community Facilities Game Changer #1).

During the planning process, public meetings were held in Brown Grove, a nationally-recognized Rural Historic District. There have been significant outreach efforts in that community as part of planned transportation improvements.