Tractor Supply Clears Another Hurdle for Ormond Beach Store, But Neighbors Still Have Concerns

The property at 890 N. U.S. 1 has a long history of stalled plans. Site plans in 1999 and 2007 to build a business park there were both approved but never built. That changed this year: in February, the City Commission approved a development order for local developer Scott Vanacore's mixed-use project, originally envisioned as 11 buildings totaling roughly 110,000 square feet, with commercial space fronting the highway and light industrial and warehouse units behind it.

In May, an amendment request landed that reshaped part of that plan, subdividing the property to make room for a roughly 20,000-square-foot Tractor Supply store, complete with an outdoor garden center and display area, on what had been slated mainly for office and warehouse space.

The shift didn't sit well with everyone. At a neighborhood meeting held July 22 at the Ormond Beach Regional Library, residents raised concerns about flooding, traffic and the project's impact on small businesses already operating nearby. Some argued the developer had changed course from the original pitch of small-business office and warehouse space.

Resident Don Dippolito, whose property backs up to the site, told city officials there's only about 20 yards between his home and where the development would begin, and voiced concern about how close the store's operations would come to his back yard.

Despite the pushback, the Planning Board's Aug. 13 vote was unanimous in favor of the amendment. The nearest existing Tractor Supply stores to Ormond Beach are currently in Palm Coast and Port Orange.

With the Planning Board's sign-off secured, the amended site plan is expected to move toward final permitting steps with the city. Ormond Beach Buzz will continue tracking the project as construction timelines and any additional public hearings are announced.