Planning commission recommends zoning approval for Yorktown Guns and Ammo after ATF inspection revealed sales without prior zoning authorization

The York County Planning Commission voted 5–1 to recommend approval of a special-use permit allowing Yorktown Guns and Ammo LLC to sell and service firearms at three parcels on George Washington Memorial Highway and Hyde Lane. The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the York County Board of Supervisors.

Planning staff told the commission the applicant operates an existing retail location (Little GI Joe's Military Surplus) and that an annual inspection by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in June 2025 prompted staff to confirm that firearms sales and service were occurring without prior zoning approval. Staff recommended approval of resolution PC25-23 to bring the business into compliance with the zoning ordinance and proposed conditions including requiring the applicant to obtain an updated business license that lists firearms sales and service.

Staff described the subject parcels (108 Hyde Lane and 2330/2334 George Washington Memorial Highway) as three general business–zoned lots totaling about two acres. No structural changes were proposed. The county's Fire and Life Safety division requested a hazardous materials management plan as part of normal review for businesses selling ammunition or certain other regulated materials; staff said the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code requires initial and annual fire inspections to be conducted by FLS staff and any violations must be corrected within inspector-identified timeframes.

Applicant Tommy Jackson told the commission he has operated at the location since May 2024 and said he did not realize firearms sales required separate zoning approval until the ATF inspection. Jackson said, "All the firearms are locked down," adding that long guns are cabled and padlocked and that he monitors the store's cameras "24 hours a day, 7 days a week." He also stated the inventory is substantial, saying approximately 650 weapons are on site. Two neighbors, William Miller and James Price, spoke in support of Jackson and asked the commission to approve the application.

Several commissioners said the sheriff's office and Fire and Life Safety reviews weighed in favor of approval; one commissioner said it is common to allow operations to continue while an application is pending, provided there is no direct impact to the surrounding community. One commissioner expressed concern that the applicant "should have known" he required zoning approval and later cast the single no vote. Following discussion, the commission voted to forward resolution PC25-23 recommending approval with conditions; the motion passed on a 5–1 roll-call vote.

Conditions recorded in the staff report include requiring an updated business license covering firearms sales and service, Fire and Life Safety review and inspections, and submittal of a hazardous materials management plan if ammunition or other regulated hazardous materials are handled or stored. The planning commission's vote is a recommendation; final authorization rests with the York County Board of Supervisors.