Buc-ee's is coming to NC, city council approves 75,000 square-foot station in Mebane

After an 8-hour city council meeting Monday night, the council voted unanimously to approve the rezoning and special use permit to build North Carolina's first Buc-ee's.

The gas station will be at 1425 Trollingwood-Hawfields Road near Interstate 85 and Interstate 40. Currently, the closest Buc-ee’s to the Triangle is in Florence, South Carolina.

There is no timetable for when the gas station will open or when construction will start.

More than 70 Mebane residents spoke Monday during the meeting to voice their opinions about the gas station coming to North Carolina. The meeting that began at 6 p.m. Monday and didn't end until around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Representatives with Buc-ee’s spoke for hours at the meeting, sharing the impact of the 75,000 square-foot station with 120 gas pumps and 600 parking spots.

Some people in the room said they do not want the gas station to come to Mebane.

"We don't need this here in Mebane," Tyler Whitley said. "I’m here for our town because I don’t think we need 500 cars per hour bringing their exhaust, and environmental health exposures, into our city."

Some of the community's concerns include:

"I think it would bring a lot of revenue to Alamance County," Shawn Harris said. "I think it would bring a lot of people in, which would help other businesses as well."

Buc-ee's hits snag in plans to build in NC: Planning board votes to recommend denying rezoning

City Council Member Sean Ewing said weighing the residents' concerns is a huge undertaking.

"We need this feedback," he said. "We need to make sure we’re hearing from everyone. To see this energy [and] this passion means a lot, regardless of what side you’re on."

You can buy gifts, toys, T-shirts, jewelry and more, many branded with the Buc-ee's logo. Buc-ee's stores are also known for having huge, spacious and clean restrooms for travelers.