MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — A new Buc-ee's location is now in the hands of Monroe County commissioners.
Monday night, planning and zoning leaders passed the decision forward for the proposed location off I-75 near Rumble Road.
It would be 30 miles away from the state's first location in Fort Valley.
More than 100 people attended the hearing to oppose the 30-acre lot, but P&Z leaders did not deny the proposal.
And they didn't show support for it either.
Mark Beauch lives a mile away from what could be a new home for the beaver.
He was one of very few attendees who said they're all for it.
"It's a destination spot, it's not a gas station, it's more than that," Beauch said. "They're talking about $30 million per year to the county. That's not a small amount of money, that pays a lot of bills."
While many neighbors shared traffic concerns and the major convenience store stealing business away from smaller shops, the plan will bring 200 full-time jobs to the Monroe area and is projected to increase tax revenue.
"Every one I've ever been into is clean. Everyone inside is always happy. And everyone spends money," Beauch said. "I'm not worried about traffic, I drive that road every single day multiple times."
Deborah Hammock says she has been tracking traffic patterns and vehicular accidents for the past 31 days, specifically at the proposed location for the Buc-ee's.
She presented her findings to P&Z leaders.
"I don't think it's right for that specific location," Hammock said. "I kept track, every time there's an accident, I get an alert from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. It happened, by the way, on average every 2 and a half days right at the Buc-ee's interstate [exit]. There's a problem."
Hammock is concerned about the safety of both locals and interstate visitors, who she says could opt to take Rumble Road as an alternate route to avoid traffic.
"The problem is it dead ends across railroad tracks. We already have issues with those tracks," Hammock said. "I live near there, and about once every 2 or 3 months, a car runs off the tracks. There are no street lights. For the safety of visitors and community members, I don't think we need it, not at that location."
One P&Z leader motioned to approve, while another motioned to deny. Both motions failed.
Real estate broker Jim Rollins says the plan will now be in the hands of county commissioners.
"The questions about whether Buc-ee's take away from the local economy," Rollins said. "If you were to go to Warner Robins and look at the Buc-ee's, the people get off and get right back on. They do not generate any additional business for the city of Warner Robins. And I assume it'd be the same here."
The final decision awaits a stamp from county commissioners on December 2nd at the Monroe County Board Commissioners Building at 38 West Main Street. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.