The site of the proposed truck stop in Millersburg.
The proposed Love’s truck stop in Millersburg may not be a done deal just yet as the city planning commission’s approval of the project has been appealed.
Millersburg City Administrator Barbara Castillo notified me Friday afternoon that the appeal had been filed by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The appeal is to the Millersburg City Council. (I haven’t yet had a look at the paperwork to see on what grounds ODOTÂ objects to the proposal. When I do I’ll report it here.)
“Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store” is planned for a 12-acre site on Old Salem Road just south of the south Jefferson interchange on Interstate 5.
The Millersburg Planning Commission approved the site plan on Jan. 10 over the objections of some neighbors who worry about the effect of the business on the livability of the neighborhood and the growing town, which has a population of 1,730, according to the latest estimate.
But in the “limited industrial” zone where Love’s plans to build, a truck stop is a permitted use as long as it meets the requirements of the city’s development code.
Love’s operates truck stops around the country. In its Millersburg application it said, “Construction on the project is expected to start following the approval of the construction plans in the spring of 2017 and may be completed by the end of 2017.” (hh)
It’s guns before butter in America right now. We don’t need no stinking truck stops or bike paths.
The truck stop is private enterprise, bike paths are public (government) activity (mostly of necessity). Having traveled across America by highway, my experience is that Love’s Travel Stations are exceptionally well done. They are clean, convenient and provide excellent service. As long as they meet the local regulatory requirements, what is the logical reason to prohibit them? If it isn’t profitable they will close; if it is, then it’s clearly a needed service. That’s the American way. And don’t forget that virtually every product you purchase arrived by truck; they are essential to our economy, as are the services that they require.
Suspect that it’s not Love’s that’s the issue, but I-5 exit and reentry in both directions. The access in place wasn’t designed for the volume that Love’s creates.
Fixable, but takes money.
Yes, I’m sure that’s what they’ll say. Better than what they have now, trucks are parked all over I5 every night due to not enough truck stops. I’m sure though they will try to extort Loves and make them pay for the improvements they should be making. How is Loves any more responsible than the developers that have put in all those houses out there?