Planning Commission OKs small expansion to Love's project

The Sidney Planning Commission approved an additional one and a half acres of land to the Love's Truck Stop project for an employee lounge and hotel.

Senior Project Manager Dave Pierson of Galloway Architecture addressed the commission via conference call from his office in Salt Lake City.

"The actual setting out for the boundaries of the hotel and employee housing site were smaller and Mr. Love asked me to make that a little bit larger and user-friendly to give them more circulation space," Pierson said. "Those properties are the only thing that has changed since the last hearing of this plan last month.

"As Love's started to design and look at the potential Sidney had at this particular exit, it determined that they needed additional property," said Sidney City Manager Gary Person.

The next step for Love's is a final public hearing in front of City Council on Dec. 9.

In other business, Gary and Sonya Ehlers wants to remodel the former Nebraska Transport Company's Freight Dock previously owned by Simmons Cook into a private fitness center.

Due to zoning regulations, the Ehlers must get a conditional use permit through the planning commission. They will advertise their plan at the next Planning Commission meeting on Dec. 16.