Virginia Supreme Court shoots down Wegmans’ appeal concerning distribution center

The Supreme Court of Virginia has turned down a request by Wegmans surrounding its plans around a distribution center in Hanover County, according to reporting by the Virginia Mercury.

In February, Wegmans asked the court to reconsider a decision that found that local neighbors have the right to challenge approvals of the distribution center.

The denial, issued May 11, offered no explanation of the reasoning of the judges, whose earlier decision was unanimously in favor of the neighbors. 

The practical implications of the ruling are unclear. The distribution center is nearly complete and expected to begin operations this summer, even as the Supreme Court of Virginia decision sends the case back to a lower court for further review.

Wegmans did not respond to a request for comment. 

The Wegmans distribution center has experienced legal challenges since the project was approved in May 2020, according to the Virginia Mercury. Expected to create 700 jobs, the project has landed tax credits and $2.35 million in state incentives.

However, many neighbors have opposed the development on the grounds that it will destroy wetlands and cause major traffic and noise and light pollution, the Virginia Mercury said. 

The case ended up at the state Supreme Court after Hanover Circuit Court found five residents whose property lay within 1,000 feet of the new facility had no standing to challenge the county’s approval of the project. The neighbors, who had argued the board violated multiple local ordinances and state laws in its approval, then appealed that decision. 

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The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the property owners this February.