RROCK SPRINGS – Residents may soon see construction start on a new extended stay hotel along the Gateway extension as the Rock Springs Planning and Zoning recently approved a major site plan for the project.

The hotel will be 29,600 square feet and have 64 units. It will go on Lot 2 on the Gateway extension. Most of the land along the stretch is owned by Western Wyoming Community College including the lot where the proposed development will go.

The property is zoned B-2 and Rock Springs City Planner Jennifer Shields said the land had a lot of challenges, but the applicant was able to overcome the difficulties.

Shields said there are still some minor issues that will need to be addressed. The first is the access. Lot 2 shares an access with the neighboring lot. She explained a shared access agreement will need to be properly filed along with all the accompanying paperwork.

One of the biggest issues the development will face is an overhead powerline. Shields explained during the utility review of the project, the developer was informed this power line would need to be moved to allow fire access and turn around on the property.

“This is probably one of the bigger issues which needs to be accomplished,” Shields explained

The Rock Springs Planning and Zoning Commission asked where it would be moved to. Shields said although it goes right through the middle of the property, it is a dead end line and the developer will move it to the south side of the property.

Craig Larsen, representing Rock Springs My Place, LLC., addressed the commission. He said they have started the process with Rocky Mountain Power to get the lined moved.

“We want to get it done so we are not held up by the issue,” Larsen said.

As for construction, Larsen said they would like to start construction in August. He explained they usually move very quickly once construction starts, adding it usually takes them about four to five months to complete construction on a project like this.

There is also a sewer easement which will need to be vacated. The Rock Springs City Council will take action on Tuesday on the proposed vacated sewer easement.