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

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29 1 residents who can no longer afford to live in Orange County. He said progress always brings 2 impositions and tradeoffs. He said interstates 85 and 40 run parallel to the project, continuing 3 all the way to Greensboro, and if the project is declined, it will regenerate elsewhere. He said 4 he has seen this happen repeatedly over the past 30 years, and the revenues continue to go to 5 other counties. He said this revenue could be spent on so many needs in Orange County. He 6 said it bothers him that Orange County might be considered a bedroom community. He said 7 Buc-ee's provides a lot of what other companies do not provide. He said there are many 8 companies that do not pay $15 an hour, and this company also gives benefits and 3 weeks of 9 vacation. He said this is an opportunity for a good job that is a stepping-stone to additional 10 success over time. He said people can take one small step at a time, and move from borderline 11 living to decent living. 12 Commissioner McKee described public comments that upset him. He said one speaker 13 said, "I don't care about people 10 streets away". He said he cares about everyone. He said 14 not one African American or Hispanic person spoke against the Buc-ee's project. He said 15 people from both of these communities have called him and emphasized the need for these 16 jobs. He said it was especially insulting to hear from public speakers that a $15/hour job was a 17 dead end job that only allowed you to clean toilets. He said he does not understand this 18 thinking, and does not agree with denigration of individuals looking to improve their situation. 19 Commissioner Greene said she would support not making a decision this evening, giving 20 staff direction to prepare for a future meeting, and the Applicant time to consider 21 conditions/concerns that were raised this evening. 22 Commissioner Dorosin said Michael Harvey's list captured everything that had been 23 raised. He said if there is a possibility that this project will be considered, based on conditions, 24 he would support Commissioner Greene's suggestion. He said if there are 4 commissioners 25 who will vote no to this proposal, no matter what, then there is no point in wasting everyone's 26 time. He said he personally agrees with Commissioner Greene's suggestion. 27 28 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner McKee to 29 direct staff to develop conditions based on this meeting, and work with Applicant to develop a 30 response to conditions. 31 32 Commissioner Fowler said if there are conditions being added, she would like to add 33 some of her own. She said she wanted to know if significant scaling down is even possible, 34 because if Buc-ee's cannot scale down then further conversation may be a waste of time, and 35 she would be willing to make a motion to deny. 36 Commissioner Bedford said she would like more information on the data and history that 37 the Applicant does have on spills. 38 John Roberts said the Applicant must be allowed time to consider if significantly scaling 39 down is possible, as well to consider the other conditions. 40 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the motion passes does the BOCC have the 41 opportunity to approve or deny the project at a later time. 42 John Roberts said yes, and relayed the process moving forward. 43 Commissioner Hamilton asked if the Board would be voting on individual conditions, as 44 some Commissioner wants certain conditions, while others prefer different conditions. 45 John Roberts confirmed the Board has the ability to consider individual conditions, if it 46 would like. 47 Commissioner Fowler asked if the current motion passes, when does the BOCC get to 48 add additional conditions. 49 John Roberts said the Board members should add any conditions before the motion is 50 voted upon. He said motion could be amended to add conditions by a friendly amendment.