Buc-ees fans, this one’s for you. The beloved Texas-based travel center chain is one step closer to breaking ground on its first Southwest Florida location, right here in Charlotte County. The proposed 74,000-square-foot store would sit off I-75 near Harborview Road, complete with 120 fuel pumps, 740 parking spots, and enough beaver merch to outfit a small town. Charlotte County commissioners are set to hold a public hearing Tuesday at 2 p.m. to consider the project as part of a larger mixed-use development that includes hotels, office space and housing.
But not everyone is ready to roll out the welcome mat for the giant beaver. The proposed site sits in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone, directly north of the Peace River. Residents like David LeBlanc of Deep Creek aren’t shy about their opposition, calling it a terrible idea to place 120 gas pumps next to a river that has a history of flooding. That same river provides critical habitat for endangered smalltooth sawfish and juvenile tarpon, not to mention the 61 acres set aside for scrub jays and gopher tortoises. Developers with Benderson Development have pledged to preserve 226 acres, but critics question if that’s enough.
Supporters, meanwhile, see dollar signs. Cody Buel of Harbour Heights expects the store to draw tourists off I-75 and pump revenue into the local economy. And it’s true, Buc-ees has a cult following, with road-trippers planning stops around those famous brisket sandwiches and pristine restrooms. But with the hearing happening Tuesday afternoon, the county commission has to weigh the economic boost against the environmental risks. So what’s your take? Are you on team beaver or team river? Sound off in the comments below.
