ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Love’s is developing a new travel center in Montgomery County in Southwestern Virginia. The location would include a convenience store, fast-food restaurant, tire shop and service center, a fenced dog park and 172 parking spaces (82 regular spaces with four ADA accessible, 11 RV spots and 79 truck spaces).

A public hearing was held on Monday. The site requires two special use permits, one allowing a travel center and the other adjusting height for signage, including a 190-foot-high sign, which Love’s says is required because of the mountainous terrain. Currently no signage higher than 40 feet is allowed at the site.

Dale Bennett, president and CEO of the Virginia Trucking Association, welcomed the proposal when it was announced in January. “There’s no doubt that we have a critical shortage of truck parking spaces all across the country,” including along Interstate 81, he said. “Any additional spaces are certainly helpful in addressing this issue.”

Love’s is looking to open 25 travel stops in 2023, it announced in February. “Customers will also see the continued expansion of Love’s-branded snacks and food items including trail mixes, beef jerky, cold-pressed juices and fresh food items like mac and cheese, quesadillas and BBQ offerings this summer,” the company said at the time. “Love’s will also add 30 new restaurants, continuing to be one of the top restaurant providers in the U.S. with more than 1,100 locations.”