Boerne residents press council to revisit Buc-ee's approvals, raise traffic and environmental concerns

Dozens of residents, small-business owners and scientists used the city council’s public-comment period Tuesday to press officials to reopen or more closely review approvals tied to a proposed Buc-ee's travel center on I‑10.

Speakers cited procedural concerns dating to 2016, objections to an approved 75‑foot sign, changes in the project's scope since the original agreement, and traffic, water and air‑quality risks they say were not sufficiently studied.

The comments mattered because many speakers said the development’s footprint, traffic and lighting could change how visitors use Boerne and could put nearby neighborhoods and water resources at risk.

Jay Pennington, a resident of 304 Horseshoe Bend, said the community should think through “the ripple effect” of major projects and warned Buc-ee's could “kill the night sky,” consume large amounts of water and divert travelers away from downtown. “They're not going to support mom‑and‑pop businesses if you put a Buc‑ee’s right there,” Pennington said.

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