Planning board votes to recommend denying rezoning

Is North Carolina one step closer to getting its first-ever Buc-ee’s?

There’s a 32-acre plot of land in Mebane where Buc-ee’s would like to build it’s next mega-gas station – but a packed community meeting on Monday night saw locals debating mixed feelings about its arrival. After meeting for more than four hours, the Mebane Planning Board voted 3-6 to recommend denying rezoning for Buc-ee’s.

The full parking lot outside Mebane City Hall was proof how invested neighbors are about possibly becoming home to a mega-sized gas station.

Some see the proposal as an effort to fuel the economy; others aren’t buying into it just yet.

Buc-ee’s offers a wide range of food options, hundreds of gas pumps and a customer experience developers say is far from anything you’ll find an another gas station.

They aim to set up shop along 32 acres near Trollingwood-Hawfields Road. It’ll be a massive size of 75,000 square feet, boasting 600 parking spots and 120 gas pumps.

“It’s no secret that Buc-ee’s wants to be here in this area,” said Amanda Hodierne, Attorney for Buc-ee’s.

Hodierne made the pitch before Mebane’s Planning Board, and a packed audience of about 100 residents, to make Mebane Buc-ee’s first ever North Carolina location.

“It feels like a a good fit. It feels like Mebane has the energy and the certain something that Buc-ee’s likes to be part of,” she said. “It’s something that is exciting for them to be part of a community that’s thriving and growing and such a successful bridge between the Triad and the Triangle.

Before moving forward – the city’s planning board must approve a rezoning request and a special use permit.

Neighbors directly impacted by the potential project says it comes with pros and cons.

“When we’re talking about the amount of people coming through everyday, those are commuters. They are local residents going back and forth between Guilford and Wake County. You do need to look at impact it’s going to have on local residents,” said Beth Bronson, who lives in Orange County.

“I think it would be good for the area as far as more jobs. As far as location, destination place, I don’t have a problem with that,” said Brenda Buchanon, who lives in Mebane.

Buc-ee’s tried coming to neighboring Orange County in 2021, but the project was scrapped after county leaders and neighbors shared their concerns.

Right now, the closest Bucee’s to North Carolina is in Florence, South Carolina.

City Council will take up the matter at their meeting in January.