Corinth City Council Votes to Deny Buc-ee's

The Corinth City Council voted 3-2 to deny Buc-ee's a permit to build one of their flagship stores at the corner of Corinth Parkway and the Interstate 35E southbound frontage road.

The special session of council lasted ran about four hours before members actually voted as 97 people signed up to speak and many more submitted written opinions.

It was 1 a.m. before the council finally rendered a decision with several members applauding the Buc-ee's model but saying it just didn't fit in Corinth.

Buc-ee's owner Arch "Beaver" Aplin said the decision was very disappointing and that he disagreed with council comments that the company was not willing to do enough give and take in the planning for the location.

Both sides of the debate were heavily represented at the public hearing.

Many in favor of the development vouched for Buc-ee's as a good business for the city. Speakers pointed out the store's reputations in Texas for being well-lit destinations that offer shopping, food, and often very clean restrooms.

 
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Buc-ee's describes their business as a "Gas-tination" and many in the crowd spoke to it as such saying they will seek out the stores on trips throughout the state.

One speaker pointed out that the 18+ acre spot that has sat vacant for years will likely be developed soon either way and they felt this would be a positive tenant for the spot.

On the other side though a lot of Corinth residents, especially those in near-by neighborhoods, spoke passionately against the development.

Many pointed out the increase in traffic, potential pollution and lack of incentive for the city due to tax breaks being proposed to the company for the first 15 years.

Several speakers, including an adjacent developer, spoke out against rezoning the area specifically to accommodate Buc-ee's while the city's master plan called for different commercial development there.

The city council also heard from several consultants and city staff members who presented traffic and economic studies regarding the potential development.

While increased traffic of about 15,600 car trips per day was projected, increased profits and tax dollars for the city, county, state, and school district over time were also projected with the project breaking even from day one.

With the decision one council member said it still leaves the door open for Buc-ee's to work with the city and create a design that better fits in Corinth.

Aplin however said that this is the end of the Corinth project and he'll move on "to the next town down the road."

Buc-ee's is also working on a potential development in North Fort Worth near Texas Motor Speedway.

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