Charlotte County approves Buc-ee's site plan near Peace River on I-75

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Charlotte County commissioners approved site plans for what could be Southwest Florida's first Buc-ee's in a 4-0 vote.

The massive gas station would be around 74,000 square feet with 120 fuel stations and more than 700 parking spots. Developers want to build it at the Harborview exit on I-75, just north of the Peace River.

Some neighbors said they are excited for the development. Others said they're not against Buc-ee's, but they think the location is a bad idea.

Neighbors said a gas station that big on the banks of the river is a bad idea. Commissioners held a public hearing because the county said developers aren't holding up their end of the deal.

The Buc-ee's is part of larger plans for development that include housing on the north side of I-75. The county said developers initially agreed to eliminate two-thirds of housing units to limit growth in exchange for Buc-ee's approval, but now the county said developers want to build more units than they agreed to.

"That's basically what was half of what happened…This is what give developers a bad name," Commissioner Joe Tiseo said.

Developers requested final approval for the site plans during the meeting. The approval marks a significant step forward for the project, which has drawn both support and concern from the community.