Minutes 01-19-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

Browse Search

25 Commissioner Fowler asked if there is a reason why people cannot pull up to the store to park, before shopping inside. Jason Harris said Buc-ee's does provide that opportunity, but it does not seem to happen. Commissioner Fowler asked if there are parking spots available. Stan Beard said the parking area excludes the space at the pumps, and the spots are ample. Commissioner Fowlerasked if the EV charging stations will be located near the gas pumps. Stan Beard said they will be on the backside of the property, next to the pond. Commissioner Fowler asked if all 10 EV charging stations will actually be functioning, Stan Beard said he does not know, but there will be the infrastructure for 10 stations. He said there are a lot of factors. He said Buc-ee's will accommodate fuel users, whether it is EV or not. He said he does not know how many will be functioning on day 1. Commissioner Fowler asked if Buc-ee's would be able to expand the EV sites. Stan Beard said ideally it would be done into existing pump system. He said Buc-ee's is ready to move with the market. He said EV is currently 1% of the market. He said Buc-ee's wants customers in the store. Commissioner Greene finds it strange that people would leave their cars parked at a pump while shopping. She said her first main concern is traffic patterns. She said it was her understanding that if the road is not realigned then there would not be a ground breaking, and the Applicant would not need to come back before the BOCC for a new vote, as realignment would be a condition of moving forward. She said her second main concern is Phase 2 plans, and there is no guarantee or idea of what may come or when. She said residents have raised concerns that other Buc-ee's have nothing around them, and she is skeptical of the promise that development will just appear. She said her final main concern is the scale of the project. She read from the Efland Mebane Small Area plan, regarding the geographic area and how residents have long viewed the area as a gateway into Efland: "the character of the gateway is an important factor in the perception of Efland as a rural village....the southeast portion of the planning area also enjoys easy access to major transportation facilities including interstates 40 and 85, and the US 70 connector, because of this development potential for the area is high." She said Buc-ee's is not interested in Efland, but rather desires to be near the highway. She said the plan goes on to say, "both of these ideas can be accomplished if a development is done in a context sensitive manner" and recommends a mixed use designation. She said the County wants mixed use, and Buc-ee's is not this, but rather is a convenience store that is bigger than a football field. She said this is not mixed use, and it is not a gateway to Efland. She echoed the request to reduce the scale of the project, and said she would like to see a contract on Phase 2 before Buc-ee's is built. She said, as it stands, this project does not meet the Efland Mebane plan. Beth Trahos said it is expected that NCDOT and the highways will approve the traffic plan, but if it does not then the plan would have to be revisited. She said Ben Johnston Road is a second issue that the Applicant is willing to make a condition of the plan. She said if NCDOT does not approve this change, which she expects it will, then the Applicant would have to come back before the BOCC. Beth Trahos said the existing zoning allows for a 2 million square foot distribution center as the entryway to Efland. She said Buc-ee's is proposing a travel center that will bring interest for additional development. Stan Beard said the scale of Buc-ee's brings travelers to stop, and when travelers stop they become a prime target for another type of user, like a restaurant or hotel. He said some residents have pointed out that many stores do not have anything around them. He said this is