By T. Scott Boatright
The Ruston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission gave its approval of a preliminary plat for the Buc-ee’s Travel Center project set to be constructed off of Tarbutton Road as it held its August meeting Monday at the Ruston City Courtroom.
Ruston’s P&Z Commission paved the way for approval of an approximately 80-acre site that will be located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Interstate-20 and Tarbutton Road. That land will be divided into three parcels — one for the actual Buc-ee’s Travel Center and two more planned for future development of additional stores or restaurants.
After being approved by Ruston’s P&Z Commission, the plat will next be discussed and potentially voted on during September’s Ruston City Meeting.
The site property is currently owned by Donald Lee Robbins and Graham Properties, LLC, although Buc-ee’s of Ruston, LCC was listed as the applicant listed on a request notice for a public hearing on the matter.
Ruston Planning and Zoning Director Jim Hays said the applicant and owners have submitted for preliminary plat approval of the Ruston Travel Center Subdivision, which will encompass two adjacent properties, each owned by one of the respective owners.
“The subdivision proposes to reconfigure the properties into three separate units that will be accessed by the construction of new public roadways,” Hays said. “These properties are zoned B4 Highway Business District.
“Based on staff review it appears the preliminary plat meets all city subdivision requirements, therefore the staff suggest that the Planning Commission recommends to the Board of Aldermen the approval of the preliminary plat subject to any appropriate department head approval and city code requirements.”
Electric Utilities Operations Manager Andrew Halbrook said Buc-ee’s is currently planning to build on 25 acres of the property.
“The remaining property will be for subdivision and future development,” Halbrook said. “This is just the first step in taking the two adjacent parcels (of land) and making the one, allowing Buc-ee’s to continue moving forward with their site plan as well as laying out our infrastructure.”
Halbrook said the city is currently working with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to finalize road and other construction designs.
“We’re anticipating that will be completed some time in the coming weeks,” Halbrook said. “I know that Buc-ee’s is continuing work on plans for its on-site infrastructure and their design. We’re hopeful that construction begins in the next two or so months while still looking at 2025 as a wrap-up date.”
Halbrook said the city has to go through the IMR process for any modifications to the service road or I-20 entrance and exit ramps.
A Interchange Modification Report (IMR) summarizes the traffic operations and safety analyses performed for proposed interchange alternatives.
“That study is going on right now,” Halbrook said. “We’ll have to get a district permit from (the Monroe DOTD office) for the modifications to Tarbutton Road.”
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