The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve a special-use permit for a specialty retail store selling hunting and outdoor equipment at 1474 North Boston Road.

Planning staff presented SUP 2501, describing the site, history and conditional use. The parcel previously held an SUP for a music and dance studio (approved in 2006); the new applicant, Brett Sprouts, proposed a specialty retail shop offering hunting and fishing equipment and an enclosed archery range for bows and arrows only. Planning staff recommended nine conditions, including no shooting of firearms on site, specified hours of operation, and a 2-year abandonment provision for the SUP.

"Safety is the utmost high on my list," applicant Brett Sprouts said at the public hearing. "If you're a shooter or a hunter, you understand what I mean. But no problems. You won't hear a thing out of me." Sprouts identified himself as the owner of High-Tech Outdoor.

Supporters from the public urged the board to approve the application, noting the county's rural character and the benefit of a local supplier. "If he is granted this special use permit, then I'll plan on visiting as a customer and doing business with him," said Don Rainer, a nearby resident, adding that he traveled outside the county for similar supplies.

Planning staff and the planning commission reviewed the request, held a community meeting and recommended approval. The board approved SUP 2501 subject to the staff-recommended conditions and the amendment adding the 2-year abandonment clause; the motion to approve passed 5-0.

Conditions require the applicant to obtain any required permits (including a wastewater capacity assessment if required by the Virginia Department of Health), to conform the entrance to low-volume commercial standards (VDOT), and to comply with county noise and site-maintenance ordinances. The permit will be voided if the use is discontinued for two consecutive years, per the added condition.

The applicant will operate within the county's land-use controls and will be subject to inspections for compliance with the conditions.