The Urbandale City Council in central Iowa voted 3-2 Tuesday to reject a requested land-use change needed for Buc-ee’s to build what would have been the company’s first location in the state.

The proposed travel center would occupy approximately 20 acres near Northwest 100th Street and Northpark Drive, close to the Interstate 80/35 interchange. The property is currently designated as “Mixed Use” under Urbandale’s comprehensive plan, while Buc-ee’s and the developer sought to change the designation to “Corridor Commercial” to accommodate the project.

The proposed 74,000-square-foot Buc-ee’s would include about 60 fuel pumps, more than 20 electric-vehicle chargers and 24-hour operations. The company projected an investment of more than $60 million and more than 200 jobs, with starting wages expected to range from roughly $19 to $22 per hour.

Traffic emerged as one of the primary concerns during the council’s consideration of the proposal. The site sits along a heavily traveled interstate corridor, and opponents questioned whether the development would create additional congestion. Buc-ee’s Real Estate Director Stan Beard argued that the company’s engineers could address the traffic issues and said the improvements would provide a long-term solution for the interchange.

Supporters argued that Buc-ee’s would bring jobs, visitors and additional economic development to the area. The company also said its large travel centers can attract other retail, restaurants, hotels and services to surrounding areas.

Council members Amy Croll, Patricia Boddy and Joe Cacciatore voted against the land-use change, while Bridget Carberry Montgomery and Blake Rozendaal supported it. The council’s decision leaves the property’s existing “Mixed Use” designation in place.

The decision does not necessarily end Buc-ee’s interest in Iowa. Urbandale officials said the city has not received another application related to the proposal and that any future request would go through the normal review process. The property owner has also expressed hope that further discussions could address the council’s concerns.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds criticized the decision, saying Buc-ee’s would bring “more jobs, more visitors, more tax revenue, and more momentum to Iowa.” Reynolds said the state would work to find another community interested in hosting the Texas-based chain.

For now, however, the proposed Urbandale location cannot proceed under the current land-use designation, leaving the future of Iowa’s first Buc-ee’s uncertain.