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Hanover supervisors authorize condemnation for two road projects, citing safety and construction timelines
Summary
The board approved resolutions to acquire right‑of‑way by condemnation for the Lewistown/Ashcake roundabout and the Pole Green Road widening projects, citing safety and the need to begin construction; staff provided parcel valuations and said multiple owners remain unsettled.
The Hanover County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22 adopted resolutions authorizing acquisition by condemnation of property interests needed for two transportation projects: the Lewistown Road–Ashcake Road intersection improvements and the Pole Green Road widening.
Randy Hardman, director of the county Department of Public Works, reviewed detailed easement plats for the Lewistown/Ashcake roundabout and said six properties were affected; one parcel had not reached voluntary settlement. He gave an example valuation of $71,340 for the outstanding offer and said the owner had signaled a preference to proceed to condemnation rather than negotiate. Supervisor Pritchard moved adoption of the resolution authorizing fee‑simple and temporary/permanent easements and early entry to begin construction; the motion carried by voice vote.
Hardman then presented a separate Pole Green Road widening project that would expand an existing two‑lane road to a four‑lane divided roadway from Bell Creek Road to Rule Point Road, involving 54 impacted parcels. Hardman listed individual parcel appraisals for unsettled properties and noted prior outreach; examples cited in staff materials included appraisals of $63,370, $36,080, $33,470 and $29,020 for specific parcels. The board voted to adopt the condemnation resolution for a set of GPINs so that right‑of‑way acquisition could proceed; staff said the matter will also go to the Transportation Committee for follow up.
Supervisor Pritchard stated that while condemnations are regrettable, the projects are “a good thing both for safety and for the aesthetics of this neighborhood.” Hardman confirmed staff had made multiple attempts to contact affected owners and that the county would continue efforts to settle where possible before taking full condemnation steps.
Both motions passed by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were read into the record at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with property owners where possible and coordinate entry and construction scheduling with VDOT and internal departments.
