Planning commission recommends approval for Tractor Supply at Kingsgate Shopping Center

The York County Planning Commission on March 11 recommended approval of a special-use permit to allow a Tractor Supply retail, rental and service store at 118 Waller Mill Road in the Kingsgate Shopping Center.

Planning staff presented application UP-1065-26 from TRC Williamsburg LLC, describing a proposed 21,930-square-foot store with a 250-foot indoor feed center, fenced outdoor display yard, permanent trailer storage, and associated parking reconfiguration. Staff said the site would be created through a subdivision and boundary-line adjustments and noted the property’s general-business designation in the county comprehensive plan. "So based on these findings, staff is recommending approval of the application subject to the conditions outlined in proposed resolution PC26-06," staff told the commission.

The staff report said the conceptual plan meets the county’s parking calculation for the new store (one space per 500 square feet, a minimum of 44 spaces) and indicated the shopping center’s total parking requirement was 554 spaces; staff also reported the conceptual plan provides the required buffering and a proposed 45-foot greenbelt along Morttown Road and transitional buffering along Waller Mill Road. A submitted trip-generation memorandum estimated the store would produce about 55 average weekday trips, below the county threshold for a traffic impact analysis.

Eric Aubrey, representing developer Twin Rivers Capital, told commissioners the developer had worked with county planning staff — including Vicky Gatis and a planner named Madison — for about a year to meet county standards. "I'm Eric Aubrey. I work for Twin Rivers Capital, the developer on the project," Aubrey said.

Commissioners questioned whether the site would include drive-up or pull-through spaces for vehicles towing trailers. Aubrey and staff said the plan does not add the dedicated drive-thru trailer stalls seen at some Tractor Supply locations, but that two loading spaces (one required and one additional) and a fenced outdoor display area with a drive-through circulation aisle would allow trailer loading and egress. When asked whether propane would be sold at the location, the applicant confirmed it would.

After discussion, Commissioner Wasmer moved to adopt resolution PC26-06 recommending approval. Roll-call votes recorded "yes" from Mr. Brooks, Mr. King, Mr. Crraer, Mr. Smith, Mr. Watsmore and Mr. Chamberlain; the motion passed.

The recommendation from the planning commission is advisory; any final approvals or required site-plan reviews and conditions will be handled through subsequent county review processes. The staff report noted that ordinance standards for lighting, screening, hazardous materials and stormwater must be addressed during the site-plan review.