SCOTTSBLUFF -- The Scotts Bluff County Commissioners unanimously approved the zoning for a new store at Lake Minatare in Monday night’s meeting. 

The new bait shop and convenience store, Off the Water, is built and approaching its opening date in the coming weeks; however, the project was in jeopardy of being discontinued as it still needed to pass the zoning change. 

After passing all inspections, obtaining the financing, building their building, completing the cement work, and advertising their grand opening, the owners discovered that since their property where the store is located is zoned as agricultural, it would need to be rezoned as residential/commercial. 

The owners Dennis and Lynsey Applegate presented at the commissioners meeting Monday night to lay out their business plan and request a zoning change. 

The Planning Commission recently voted 3-3 for the zoning change, so there was no official recommendation. 

“Off the Water is the kind of place that will bring our neighbors together, provide needed goods, and support local producers, which is something our area is currently lacking,” Linsey said. “There are very limited options that offer basic goods and services. Residents are left to make the drive into Scottsbluff for basic goods and lake-goers have limited options for supplies nearby. Our store is designed to fill that gap.” 

Dozens of community and family members showed their support by speaking on behalf of the Applegate's, expressing why they deserve to open their shop and the benefits it will bring to the community. 

A few community members who were against the rezoning expressed concerns about the shop bringing too much traffic down an already hazardous dirt road. 

Off the Water will be located south of Lake Minatare on County Road H. 

Community member Scott Miller who lives on the county road said he is opposed to the zoning change as the shop will have detrimental impact to those in the area. 

“Traffic is already an issue out there, and it gets worse in the summertime,” Miller said. “If this project is approved, it will continue to drive traffic, making the conditions out there more dangerous.” 

Another community member shared the same concerns of accidents happening due to increased traffic on the road with blind hills and curves with people already not following the posted speed limits. 

Community members said in rebuttal that the county officials and sheriff’s department will be aware of an increase in traffic, so there will likely be increased police presence to enforce road safety. 

One community member also said this might even reduce the speed of drivers down the road because out-of-towners will be traveling slower as they are watching for their destination and locals will be aware of the higher traffic due to the new business. 

Community member Forrest Hickman said the additional shop out in the country will actually lead to less traffic on the roads going to and from Scottsbluff. 

“There is no place locally to get anything, so if you forget something out at the lake you are making the 10-mile trek back into town on the same roads to get what you forgot and trek right back out,” Hickman said. 

Commissioner Charlie Knapper said he appreciates that the Applegate's are willing to provide a service where the community needs it. 

Commissioner Mike Blue also expressed his support of the proposal saying, “This area needs something like that because it’s out there in a remote area, and we want to attract more people out to the lake." 

Off the Water will operate 7 days a week from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. It will offer everyday convenient items for local residents, bait and outdoor supplies for campers, locally grown produce and honey for farmers and beekeepers, and necessary items for the lake-goers including soda, water, ice, firewood, first aid supplies, lifejackets, bait, tackle, food, paper towels, and so much more.