Janak Patel, owner of the vacant Lukoil service station at 741 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., has hatched a new concept for the business located alongside McDonald's.

While planning to renovate and reopen the convenience store, Patel also intends to offer fried chicken for sale on the premises.

To have a proper kitchen facility, Patel wants to place an 8-foot by 10-foot addition at the rear of the existing building.

At the May 15 commissioners' meeting, Patel's attorney, Erich Schock, commented on the plan.

"He wants to bump out the rear of the building for an 80-square-foot addition. He needs more space to fry the chicken," Schock said.

Schock then requested a waiver of the land development review process.

South Whitehall engineer Ralph Russek provided some insight on the request.

He noted stormwater and curbing issues are already taken care of, while removal of blacktop between the south side of the building and McDonald's parking lot will provide a slight increase in impervious surface.

Russek said all items are in place for the waiver of land development.

Commissioners voted to grant the approval to Patel whose business is known as Smeha, LLC.

Before proceeding to the next matter of discussion, Manager of Community Development Gerald Harbison reported the other vacant Lukoil service station in South Whitehall has been purchased by Lehigh Gas.

Commissioners were glad to hear the two empty stations are coming back to life.

During public comment, resident Mike McGinn asked for a change to the grass clippings procedure.

As the township does not pick up grass clippings free of charge, McGinn said he and other residents deliver their grass to the homes of friends in municipalities that have grass pick-up available.

He then read a list of municipalities that accept grass clippings as part of their trash pick-up.

"This is a bad situation," McGinn said. "We're expecting other municipalities to do our job.

Township Manager Jon Hammer commented.

"This is good timing," Hammer said. "We're working on our new contract now."

He said specifications could be drawn up with and without grass inclusion, and the difference in cost could be evaluated.

"We'll take this into consideration in the new contract," Hammer said.