Brentwood ZBA approves Tractor Supply garden‑center wall sign variance

The Brentwood Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to grant Tractor Supply Company a variance to add a second wall‑mounted garden‑center sign of 61.46 square feet at 437 Route 125, increasing the site’s total wall signage to 169.46 square feet.

The decision followed testimony from applicant Carolyn Parker, who said the board had previously approved a second sign but a condition in the written decision limited both wall signs to 20 square feet total. Parker told the board she was unaware of that condition when she filed a building permit and noted an existing 6‑by‑18 wall sign on the property measuring 108 square feet; adding the requested 61.46 would result in 169.46 square feet of wall signage. “So in hindsight, I probably should have given more information,” Parker said, explaining the garden center will be a seasonal, roofed but not fully enclosed area that helps customers find and access garden products.

The variance request drew public comment and discussion about the town’s sign rules. Resident Liz Faria said she was not opposed but raised concerns about illumination and the precedent of a much larger sign allowance, asking how the change might affect future applicants. “My only question would be precedent,” Faria said, noting the difference between a 20‑square‑foot limit and the size requested.

Bruce Stevens, speaking as a Brentwood resident and planning‑board member, recommended approval and urged the town to update the sign ordinance. Stevens said the current square‑footage limits date from decades ago and do not reflect larger modern commercial buildings set well back from the road. “We have a 40‑year‑old ordinance that pertain[s] to buildings that we were seeing being built 40 years ago,” Stevens said. He and other planning‑board members said they are preparing proposed zoning changes for a future town‑meeting vote.

Members of the public and board discussed operational matters including whether the garden‑center area would be secured at night and how registers or loss prevention would be handled. Parker and a Tractor Supply representative said the fenced area would be locked and that the company manages cashiering and security at similar sites.

Before voting, the board worked through the five variance criteria and discussed possible conditions. The board attached conditions to the approval requiring removal of fabric/banner signs from the garden‑center fencing; prohibiting illumination during nonoperational hours (the board’s motion specified that new signs “shall not be illuminated during nonoperational times”); and requiring documentation to the fire department identifying the location of any fertilizers, pesticides, propane or other chemicals stored outside in the garden‑center area so the fire department can locate them in an emergency. The board also noted site‑plan approvals and fire‑safety rules apply to on‑site storage and handling of chemicals.

A board member moved to approve the two requested variances, citing sections of the town code, and a second was recorded. After brief additional discussion, the board voted in the affirmative with no opposition; the motion carried unanimously. The recorded motion approved variances under the cited ordinance sections to allow the second wall sign totaling 61.46 square feet.

Board members and planning staff reiterated that the planning board intends to pursue a formal zoning ordinance amendment to modernize signage rules and that any town‑wide change would go to voters at a future town meeting.

The board completed routine business after the vote and adjourned.