Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
WEST POINT — A group of West Point residents is fighting a proposal for a Tractor Supply retail store close to their homes. TRC West Point has applied to build a 22,000-square-foot store on land owned by Thrift Insurance. The property faces King William Avenue and is adjacent to Woodland Trail. The Planning Commission passed the application on to the Town Council last month. Residents of Woodland Trail stated their opposition to a special use permit during the public comments section of the West Point Town Council meeting on Sept. 30. The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the application on Oct. 28. Lauren Lechowicz lives on Woodland Trail close to the site of the store. She urged the Town Council to reject the special use permit. “My family has lived there for 16 years. What is now a wooded buffer … would become asphalt, forklifts, lights and traffic just feet from my children’s bedrooms,” she said. Lechowicz said the town’s comprehensive plan says neighborhoods “must be protected from encroachment by incompatible commercial land uses.” “Tractor Supply violates all of these principles by placing a 20,000-square-foot big box retail store directly against established homes,” she said. Lechowicz claimed tractor-trailers would be turning close to a school bus stop, posing a safety hazard to kids. Barbara Sheldon of Woodland Trail said the store would “adversely impact adjacent homes,” while noise and traffic levels would increase. “Woodland Trail will no longer be a quiet neighborhood, and the value of our homes will drop considerably,” she said. Sheldon said the development would be far bigger than nearby retailers, such as a Dollar General. “This is not in line with the intent of mixed-use zoning or the intent of the West Point Comprehensive Plan,” she said. Tractor Supply specializes in agricultural supplies, pet and livestock feed, home improvement goods, hardware, and outdoor lifestyle products, according to the project narrative submitted to the Planning Commission last month. “The store will provide essential goods and services to residents, local businesses, and agricultural operations in and around the Town of West Point and King William County,” the narrative said. TRC West Point proposes a retail building, outdoor display areas and a fenced outdoor sales yard. The size of the building exceeds the 10,000-square-foot limit imposed by current zoning rules, meaning a special use permit is required. “The business will support local economic growth by drawing customers to the area, increasing traffic for nearby businesses,” the narrative stated. David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
