Hanover supervisors oppose DHS plan for Lake Ridge Parkway site; residents fill meeting to demand county action

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 read a unanimous statement after learning the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had notified the county of its intent to purchase a warehouse on Lake Ridge Parkway in the Lewistown Commerce Center for use as a processing facility.

The chair said the county was not involved in DHS’s site selection and instructed staff to "evaluate the potential impacts of this proposed facility and to share those findings with DHS," to ask the county’s U.S. senators and representatives to work with DHS on finding a more suitable location, and to direct the county attorney to "further evaluate the county's legal options." The board’s written statement, read into the record, said the property is inside the Lewistown Commerce Center Community Development Authority and that a facility of this nature “will change the character of the area” and could reduce county tax revenue "by no less than $1,000,000 annually." The county expects to post its formal response to DHS and related correspondence on the county website when available.

Why it matters: The proposed site lies near retail, hotels, restaurants and residential neighborhoods and, according to the board, adjacent to county land planned for public use. Board members said federal facilities are generally exempt from local zoning but that the county can and should document local land-use policy and fiscal concerns for DHS to consider as it moves forward.

Residents filled the board chamber for two hours of pre-registered comments and a second hour open to opponents and proponents. Speakers opposing the proposed facility cited a range of concerns: alleged recent uses of force by federal enforcement officers elsewhere, potential strain on local emergency services and courts, impacts on tourism and property values near destinations such as Bass Pro Shops, and the proximity of the site to vulnerable programs including the Arc of Hanover. As one resident, Camilla Hill, said, "A detention center will impose long term costs on the county while offering no benefit."

Other residents urged cooperation with federal authorities or asked the board to help identify alternative sites. Tina Steenberg, who identified herself as an Ashland District resident, told the board she supported an ICE enforcement presence because, she said, it enforces immigration law and "protects the rule of law." The board reminded speakers the county cannot prevent a federal purchase but said it will file a detailed local-impact statement within the timeframe DHS allows (staff indicated the county response is due in mid-February).

Formal board direction: The board voted to (1) have staff prepare a detailed summary for DHS outlining county land-use policies and concerns, (2) request assistance from U.S. senators and representatives to seek alternative locations, and (3) direct the county attorney to evaluate legal options. The chair said copies of the county’s response and correspondence with federal representatives would be posted publicly when available and the board would encourage residents to rely on verified county postings.

What comes next: County staff will complete the impact evaluation and incorporate fiscal, infrastructure and land-use analysis into the formal response to DHS. The board did not take further formal legal action at the meeting but said it had asked the county attorney to explore options. Residents were told the county will post updates as verified information becomes available.