Hospice care facility proposed near Gothenburg

    A hospice care facility is proposed for a 3.5 +/- acre tract of land owned and donated by Doug Block lying just northwest of Gothenburg and east of the Wild Horse Golf Course.   The Prairie Care Foundation is seeking a Conditional Use Permit to authorize a hospice facility in that location.  It is currently zoned as AG or General Agriculture District.  While Dawson County’s Comprehensive Plan does not mention a hospice facility, the information submitted in the Conditional Use Permit application suggests that it would be compatible in the area.

    In a letter filed with the Dawson County Zoning Administrator, the Foundation was formed by Dave Collins.  Collin’s wife Susie passed away from cancer and spent her last days at a hospice facility in Lincoln.    Collins hopes to bring such a facility to Dawson County that would allow loved ones to spend their last days closer to home and in a peaceful environment.  The facility would be named “The Susie Collins House” and would be the only such facility between Lincoln and Denver.  It would include six individual patient rooms and two private suites, a gathering place along with a children’s play room and create 16 to 20 full-time jobs according to the permit application.

    The Prairie Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of 11 Gothenburg business and community leaders and an advisory board of 12 other members. 

    Numerous letters of support were submitted with the permit application from a number of volunteers and professionals ranging from a family member, a retired hospital CEO, clergy and medical providers.

    The Dawson County Planning Commission recommended approval of the Conditions Use Permit application by a unanimous vote at their October 14th meeting.   It will now come before the Dawson County Commissioners with a public hearing at their November 15th meeting which will take place in the old County Courtroom located on the second floor of the Dawson County Courthouse.

Source: Nebraska Regional News