SEAVILLE — A Tractor Supply store is coming to Upper Township next fall.
The Upper Township Zoning Board approved a site plan with variances Nov. 14 to clear the way for the store at 13 Route 50 in Seaville.
Developer Jennifer Nylander of HSC Seaville LLC said she is under contract with property owner Marianna Karayiannis of Ocean View to purchase the undeveloped 8.83-acre property.
Nylander said now that she has the Zoning Board’s approval, she plans to start work on the 21,930-square-foot store, including site work such as parking, lighting, stormwater management and landscaping, in the spring.
She said it generally takes 28 to 32 construction weeks, so if they begin in March or early April the store should be open by November.
Nylander said Tractor Supply Co. chooses the locations “based on their in-depth market analysis” and her company builds them.
“We think the store will do very well there,” she said.
The developer was seeking approval of a subdivision and site plan for the project in the Town Center Core zone. The lot will be subdivided into tracts of 6.61 acres and 2.21 acres.
According to a report by Zoning Board engineer Greg Schneider, the application had a 25-spot parking deficit, 85 instead of 110, a shortage of 22.7 percent.
The applicants also are seeking a variance for minimum distance from other buildings. They want to have a live goods center 3 feet from the principal building where 25 feet is required. In addition, a variance is being sought for building height of 24 feet where 20 feet is the maximum permitted.
The application also calls for a 12-foot-high monument sign where 8 feet is the maximum allowed.
“They did a very good job of vetting our application,” Nylander said.
According to its website, Tractor Supply Co. has been serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy the life outdoors for more than 85 years.
Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 293 on the Fortune 500. The company has more than 50,000 employees.
As of Sept. 28, the company operates 2,270 stores in 49 states, including one on Route 9 in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township and another on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township.
Nylander’s company built the stores in Egg Harbor Township and Buena Vista Township.
Products include air compressors and tools, welding and soldering equipment, power tools, hand tools, woodworking gear, tool boxes and workbenches.
Tractor Supply also sells pet food and supplies, lawn and garden equipment, landscaping gear, plants and flowers, fencing and gates, sporting goods, livestock and poultry supplies.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
