Agenda - 02-16-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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26 1 ee's are built, other folks follow. He said Efland is ripe for a good development, and Buc-ee's 2 wants to be it. 3 Commissioner Hamilton thanked all staff, commissions and representatives for their 4 work on project. She recognized the public from whom the BOCC has not heard. She reviewed 5 the 2030 Orange County Comprehensive Plan, and said it is a very relevant document for 6 today. She reviewed the 8 principles of the document, focusing on numbers 2-7, to see if Phase 7 1 of project fits in plan. She said this project does not promote sustainability, and does not 8 promote the encouragement of air quality improvements. She said these facts go against the 9 principles of the plan. She said there is no assurance of effective charging station/systems. 10 She said she did note there will be land set aside for a bus stop, but the current zoning allows 11 for that already. She said this project does not promote resource preservation of rural land use, 12 and she wonders if it will adversely affect existing farms due to changes with Ben Johnston 13 Road. She said she questions the impact of water usage, and despite claims of adequate 14 capacity, there is still a risk of spills and worst-case scenarios. She said worst-case scenarios 15 are not out of the question, and once the water supply is ruined, it cannot be repaired. She said 16 another principal is the promotion of economic prosperity and diversity. She said phase 1 does 17 have some potential in this area, such as $1 million in revenue from property and sales. She 18 said the project does not provide business diversity, as there are already gas stations in the 19 area. She said it is important to consider what will be lost as local businesses are detrimentally 20 affected. She said phase 2 is consistent with the plan, but there is no guarantee of it 21 happening. She said the other part of diversity is jobs, and while jobs are being offered, there is 22 no guarantee that these jobs will go to Orange County residents. She said the final planning 23 principal is preservation of community character. She said Orange County is a smart, 24 innovative choice for employers and employees, due to several world-class hospitals and 25 companies. She said this is the County's brand. She said Buc-ee's has the potential to change 26 the community character. 27 Commissioner Hamilton said she watched the video of a Buc-ee's and what jumped out 28 to her is the promotion of the Buc-ee's brand, which she thinks may dominate the community 29 character of Efland. She said the only potential positive of this project is possible revenue, 30 which is not guaranteed, and does not outweigh all of the unknowns. She said the BOCC wants 31 to meet the needs of the present, without compromising the needs of the future. She said she 32 does not think project is the right one. 33 Commissioner McKee asked if the Applicant would be open to accepting the condition of 34 having 10 EV charging stations activated on day 1. 35 Stan Beard said he could not commit at this time, and needs to talk with his boss. 36 Commissioner McKee said he would also like a more definitive answer on Ben Johnston 37 Road, and is willing to continue this discussion. 38 County Attorney John Roberts said the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) has a 39 provision that the Applicant must have a reasonable time to consider any newly proposed 40 conditions, and be able to return to the Board with a decision or compromise. 41 Michael Harvey said any changes regarding the relocation of Ben Johnston Road would 42 require meetings with staff and DOT officials, which will take some time. He said any such 43 changes would require modifications to the TIA for this project, which would also take some 44 time. 45 Commissioner McKee asked if the Applicant could elaborate on Buc-ee's involvement 46 with the local community. 47 Stan Beard said Buc-ee's takes a lot of pride in being involved with the local community, 48 and provided examples of ways it supports the community. He said Buc-ee's always has very 49 close ties with public safety and law enforcement. He said Buc-ee's is a big part of the 50 community. He said he has provided a great deal of details to County staff, and Buc-ee's is a 51 generous partner.