Wyandotte County commission affirms Buc-ee's redevelopment plan conforms to area plan amid public tax concerns

The Wyandotte County Unified Government Commission unanimously affirmed on Jan. 8 that the Buc-ee's Family Travel Center redevelopment plan conforms to the Prairie Delaware Piper area plan, a procedural finding required under the Kansas Tax Increment Financing Act as amended.

Planning staff told the commission the plan meets the area plan requirements and the planning commission recommended approval by a 7–0 vote. Commissioner Christian Ramirez characterized the item as a housekeeping confirmation tied to tax-increment financing (TIF) procedures and not a reopening of earlier approvals.

Scott Harding, an online commenter, asked the commission to set the item aside and warned that large developments such as Buc-ee's and other projects in the Star Bond District could reduce local sales-tax revenues for services. Harding said, “When this Chiefs Stadium comes in, they're gonna take all this new sales tax and Buc ee's is included into that,” and urged commissioners to scrutinize potential impacts on fire, police and road funding.

Commissioner Bill Burns said the item was appropriate for immediate approval, moved to adopt the staff confirmation, and the commission voted 10–0 to approve item 6.4a. The motion was limited to the conformance finding required for TIF completion; no additional TIF or Star Bond approvals were before the body during the Jan. 8 meeting.