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Charlotte County, FL - A proposed rezoning in Charlotte County that could lead to a Buc-ee’s travel center near Interstate 75 and Harborview Road is drawing criticism from nearby residents concerned about traffic, noise, and the impact on their neighborhood’s way of life.
The county’s Planning and Zoning Board recently approved a land use change, potentially clearing the path for the popular Texas-based gas station chain to move in.
Buc-ee’s, known for its enormous footprint and high-volume traffic, is listed as a contract purchaser but has not officially submitted development plans.
Community members in the Harbor Heights area say the size and scale of Buc-ee’s would overwhelm the local infrastructure.
Resident Beverly Constable described trying to access another Buc-ee’s location, telling WINK News, “Every entrance was backed up—we circled 120 pumps three times before finding one. It was chaos.”
Sharon Brant, another resident, warned that even widening Harborview Road wouldn’t solve the traffic issues.
“Even with four lanes, our road won’t support the traffic from Buc-ee’s and future housing,” she said.
Dreama Doolittle added perspective on the project’s scale: “One pump is like adding 25 multi-family units. They’re proposing 120 pumps.”
County planner Shaun Cullinan stressed that the project is still uncertain, telling the news outlet “Buc-ee’s is a contract purchaser. Until development begins, nothing is confirmed."
The Charlotte County Board of Commissioners is set to vote on the proposal next month.
Meanwhile, residents continue to organize in hopes of stopping the development before it reshapes their community.