- September 16, 2026
Ormond Beach is one step closer to having a Tractor Supply Company store in town, as the Ormond Beach Planning Board unanimously approved an amendment to a development order for the Tomoka Commerce Park project at 90 N. U.S. 1 on Thursday, Aug. 13.
In February, the Ormond Beach City Commission approved a development order for local developer Scott Vanacore's mixed-use commercial and warehouse project. Then in May, a request was submitted for an amendment, preliminary plat and site plan for the Tractor Supply. A neighborhood meeting was held on July 22, where residents shared concerns about flooding, traffic, insufficient infrastructure and negative impact on similar small businesses in the area.
Planning Board members spoke favorably of the new proposal.
"I think it's an extremely attractive building," Planning Board member Al Jorczak said. "I think it adds to the community in terms of the scope of product that's for sale.
The new plans include six buildings totaling 78,009 square feet slated for warehouses, indoor boat and RV storage and light industrial uses, plus a 21,901-square-foot Tractor Supply.
The amendment does not require approval for a Tractor Supply, as the use is permitted; the amendment seeks approval for the overall development plan, which includes outdoor display areas for Tractor Supply. Officials are tasked with determining whether the proposal complies with the city's comprehensive plan, zoning standards and land development code.
Planning Board member GG Galloway noted that, while many would like to see a grocery store (like Trader Joe's) in that location, the traffic generated by a Tractor Supply is much less. He also spoke about the need for the developer to go "beyond the call of duty" on landscaping.
"My key thing is, I believe U.S. 1 over the next three to 15 years is going to be the front door of our community," Planning Board member GG Galloway said. "... So it's imperative from one, aesthetic of the building as well as landscaping."
The nearest Tractor Supply stores to Ormond Beach today are located in Palm Coast and Port Orange.
Some residents criticized the addition of the Tractor Supply, saying the developer changed course from the original plans to construct mainly warehouse and office spaces for small businesses. The City Commission previously approved a development order for the construction of 11 buildings spanning over 110,000 square feet on the 12-acre property, with commercial uses slated to front U.S. 1 and light industrial and warehouse uses to be housed in the back of the property.
Ormond Beach resident Don Dippolito, who spoke at the meeting, said he didn't have an issue with the property being developed, but worried about the Tractor Supply store because his home is located directly to the rear of the project.
"There's only 20 yards between the back of my property and the start of their property line there," he said. "It's pretty close. I'm thinking delivery trucks. I'm thinking backup devices on forklifts — all the noise impact ... that's a big concern of mine."
The addition of a Tractor Supply also worries the owner of Ormond Farm Supply, a locally owned farm store. Renee Ruckert told the Observer that a new Tractor Supply store would impact six small businesses within a 3-mile radius, including hers, plus the two Ace Hardware stores in town.
She estimates she will lose about 20% of her business if the big box store opens, and said she wished the existing businesses had been taken into consideration before the proposal was brought forward.
"I tried to tell them the meeting before when I spoke — I said, 'Why don't you put this out on Route 40, out where it's rural?'" Ruckert said. "That's where they need it. They don't have one store out there. I'm like, 'You would have everything covered for them out there. That's where it needs to be, out that way."
She understands that officials must consider land development regulations when looking to approve new projects, but said that if enough of the community opposes a project, officials should take that into consideration as well.
"We're not opposing the whole park," Ruckert said. "We're just opposing this one business that's going to be in there that unfortunately takes up half of the park."
Prior to the Planning Board meeting, Ruckert had used her monument sign to ask customers to make their voices heard in opposition to the Tractor Supply. Many customers would come in the store and say they weren't happy with the proposal, but they did not come to the meeting to speak.
She's since changed her sign to express appreciation for loyal customers. But, she worries about what will happen in the future.
"Like on a Sunday," Ruckert said. "Let's say you run out of chicken feed, or you run out of rabbit feed or horse feed or whatever it is, and you don't have a choice, so you're going to go down to Tractor Supply and buy a bag instead of waiting until Monday to come in and get it from us."
