Hanover proposes strict zoning rules for weed stores
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Hanover County is proposing stringent zoning rules that would restrict where weed businesses could operate, an Axios review finds.
Why it matters: Hanover supervisors voted Wednesday to advance the proposal, setting a January public hearing on the restrictions, county spokesperson Kristin Smith Dunlop tells Axios.
- The board hasn't approved the changes, but the hearing will give residents and businesses a chance to weigh in before a final decision.
State of play: Every marijuana-related business in Hanover would have to be at least 1 mile from a hospital, school, day care or public park, plus any other weed or hemp business.
- That distance requirement is over five times larger than the state's requirements — and Henrico's proposed 1,000-foot weed store buffer.
- Similar to Henrico's plan, retail and cultivation businesses in Hanover would be required to get a conditional use permit, which would also trigger a public review.
Plus, Hanover's proposal would limit retail stores' operating hours to Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Night and weekend hours would be prohibited.
- And it would limit weed stores to certain commercial and industrial zoned areas (B-2, B-3, M-1 and M-2).
Zoom in: The proposed zoning restrictions alone would leave little of Hanover's 467 square miles open for weed-related businesses, per an Axios review of Hanover's current zoning map. The corridors where they would be allowed include:
- The Ashland/I-95/Route 1 corridor
- Atlee/Sliding Hill/ I-95–I-295 area
- Mechanicsville/Route 360 corridor
- Route 301 corridor south of Ashland
Follow the money: Localities have the option of tacking on a sales tax of up to 3.5% on recreational marijuana, so having fewer stores could leave tax revenue on the table for other localities to grab.
What we're watching: How Chesterfield — which in the past blocked medical dispensaries from opening in the county — handles their weed zoning rules.
- The county is just beginning its code update process.