Smithfield’s Town Council voted unanimously on May 3 to approve a proposed greenhouse and drive-thru at the Tractor Supply store at the edge of town.

The company plans to locate the proposed 3,500-square-foot addition adjacent to the existing store on land currently being used as a fenced outdoor sales area. The drive-thru would replace the store’s existing curbside pickup zone.

Tractor Supply proposes to construct the greenhouses from white polycarbonate panels, with two roll-up curtains facing Benn’s Church Boulevard. The Town Council approved two special use permits the company had requested – one for the greenhouse and the other for the drive-thru.

Both are conditional on the company replanting and maintaining the landscaping outside the existing storefront, which the council members contend has fallen into disrepair.

Per the company’s latest plans, tan material will be placed at the top of the greenhouse to unify the structure with the existing building and shield the polycarbonate panels from view of Benn’s Church Boulevard.

Randy Pack, who had voted against the requested permits in April in his capacity as the Town Council’s liaison to the Planning Commission, this time voted in favor of both permits.

Councilwoman Valerie Butler was absent from the meeting.