Tractor Supply presents final site plan to Hampstead commission; brick exterior and landscaping flagged for review

Andy Mueller, product manager with BL Companies, told the Hampstead Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday that the Tractor Supply Company final site plan for Hanover Pike is essentially the same plan the commission reviewed last month except for a brick exterior and an updated monument sign. The developer introduced the final plan and provided a close-up sample of the proposed "quick brick" to show the building and sign materials.

The item matters because the site will be a visible commercial development on Hanover Pike (Route 30) and because the commission's prior contingent approval required a brick exterior; material choices, monument signage and landscaping along the Route 30 island were central to commissioners' questions.

Mueller said, "This plan we have in front of you tonight is essentially the same plan that you guys approved last month outside of the brick exterior for the building and the mine beside" and explained the developer supplied the quick-brick sample and a monument sign similar to one used in Westminster. He said the quick brick will be used on the building and matched on the base of the monument sign.

Commissioners asked about site details including whether the monument sign material matched the building sample and whether the landscaping plan provides shrubs or only turf in the island adjacent to Route 30. Mueller and town staff said the architect attempted to match the color of the Westminster example but that exact color tones change over time and by supplier. The applicant confirmed the town has received the building permit application, but staff said county review must be completed before final town approval and that some permit-review comments from county reviewers could affect the town's permit approval sequence.

Staff told the commission that an adequate facilities study will be provided at the next meeting to confirm town services can support the development. The zoning administrator said the earliest the project could reach final approval would be at the November meeting but that December was a more realistic target depending on the county review timeline. At this meeting the commission did not take a vote; the presentation was an introduction of a final plan and no motion was required.

Next steps: staff will circulate county review materials to commissioners, provide an adequate facilities study at the next meeting, schedule a public hearing when review is complete, and bring a final-approval item to a future meeting if county reviews and permits are in order.