PORT CHARLOTTE — A proposed Buc-ee’s travel center in Port Charlotte, Florida, has drawn opposition from local residents and raised environmental concerns. The 74,000-square-foot facility is planned near the Harborview development off Interstate 75 in Charlotte County.

According to Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s national director of real estate and development, the Port Charlotte location would measure approximately 74,000 square feet. Buc-ee’s locations typically include more than 100 gas pumps and store hundreds of thousands of gallons of petroleum and other hazardous chemicals underground.

Some Port Charlotte residents have expressed concerns about increased traffic the facility could generate. Buc-ee’s locations regularly attract thousands of daily visitors, which can lead to higher vehicle volumes in surrounding areas.

The proposed site lies entirely within a coastal high hazard area and flood plain, according to locals who spoke with Gulf Coast News. Those residents also said the development could disrupt endangered fish in a nearby nursery habitat.

Environmental concerns have surfaced at other Buc-ee’s projects in Florida. Plans for a location in St. Lucie County were resubmitted after addressing potential impacts on wildlife, including migratory birds and sea turtle hatchlings.

Critics have also raised broader concerns about the chain’s environmental footprint, noting that large volumes of daily vehicle traffic may contribute to local emissions. Additional issues cited include potential disruption to wildlife from light pollution, noise, traffic, and chemical runoff.

Economic concerns have been voiced as well. Buc-ee’s typically offers lower gas prices due to its purchasing power, which could negatively affect nearby independent gas stations. Local small businesses may also struggle to compete with the scale and pricing of a Buc-ee’s travel center.

Buc-ee’s has a history of negotiating capital incentives and receiving tax breaks to support infrastructure improvements tied to its developments. The company currently operates two Florida locations—in St. Augustine, which opened in 2021, and Daytona Beach—and has at least four additional sites planned across the state.