- October 14, 2026
A Tractor Supply Company store will be coming to 890 N. U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach.
The City Commission approved an amendment to a development order for the Tomoka Commerce Park project in a 4-1 vote on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Local developer Scott Vanacore aims to construct a mixed-use commercial and warehouse project on the 12.48-acre property.
Tomoka Commerce Park is slated to have 56,108 square feet of office, warehouse and industrial space and a 21,901-square-foot Tractor Supply. The City Commission approved the project's development order in February, but the amendment reduced the approved density of Tomoka Commerce Park, according to a city staff report. The number of buildings was lowered from 11 to six, reducing projected traffic impacts and impervious surface area.
Much of the citizen opposition to the project revolved around the Tractor Supply store and its impact on surrounding small businesses, like Ormond Farm Supply, a locally owned farm store located down the road from the Tomoka Commerce Park property.
"I understand that Ormond Beach is growing, and I'm not asking Ormond Beach not to grow," Ormond Farm Supply owner Renee Ruckert said. "What concerns me is what we may lose while we're growing. It feels like some of the old way is disappearing. The local stores, the places with history."
Ruckert has owned Ormond Farm Supply for the past five years, though the store has been in business for almost 30.
The Tractor Supply store is an allowed use for the property. The amendment sought by Vanacore needed officials' approval for the overall development plan, which includes outdoor display areas for the big box store.
Commissioners thanked Ruckert and several other residents for speaking on the item and their concerns about impacts to small businesses. However, they explained that they would be hard pressed to find a legal reason to deny the amendment when a feed store is an allowed use in the zoning district.
"It's important that the public know that we, the City Commission, do not get to decide which businesses come to town," City Commissioner Kristin Deaton said. "We cannot legally turn away a new business because there is already a similar one in town. If that were the case, we wouldn't have so many Dollar Generals or car washes because I wouldn't approve them."
Deaton said officials are tasked with determining whether proposals meet city ordinances and land development codes. She and the City Commission spoke about their personal support of Ormond Farm Supply and locally owned businesses.
Mayor Jason Leslie was the lone vote against the amendment's approval. He said he originally liked the project because of its concept to provide warehouse and office space to small businesses. These are still in the development plans, but the number of buildings were reduced.
Leslie said he opposed the Tractor Supply due to its impact on small businesses.
"I just don't want to be in the business of putting people out of work and closing businesses," he said.
