Charlotte County approves Tractor Supply conditional use permit with landscaping, signage and lighting conditions

The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted on Sept. 9 to approve a conditional use permit allowing a Tractor Supply retail store on two adjacent parcels totaling about 13 acres, subject to added conditions on landscape buffers, native plantings, signage and lighting.

In a staff presentation, county planning staff said the proposal—recommended favorably by the planning commission—calls for roughly 21,000 square feet of indoor retail space and about 20,000 square feet of outdoor sales area, 70 parking spaces (above the 64 spaces required by the zoning ordinance), public water from the Town of Keeseville, and an estimated investment of approximately $6,000,000 with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2027 and opening in early 2028. The CUP was approved after the board adopted three amendments requiring a 20-foot-wide landscaped buffer along the front and north driveway with trees spaced no more than 50 feet apart, use of native species maintained in good health with replacement requirements, and signage constrained to a monument sign at the site entrance and limited pylon signage at the rear near Highway 360.

Applicant Keith Carter of Reese Real Estate Development Partners told the board the developer had revised the plans to add landscaping and offered to accommodate a monument sign and reduced lighting concerns. "We would absolutely support a monument sign out on Fort Lucas Highway," Carter said, adding that all lighting would be full cutoff and that the developer will provide a photometric plan to county staff. The board approved the permit after a voice vote on the amendments and a final motion to adopt the CUP with the added conditions; several supervisors voiced opposition but the motion carried.

The approval includes standard conditions that require adherence to federal, state and local laws, demonstration of erosion and sediment control prior to permitting, compliance with Virginia Department of Health regulations and obtaining necessary Virginia Department of Transportation approvals. Staff noted violations could result in revocation of the permit.