When engineer Amit Mukherjee stepped forward at the March 19 South Whitehall Township commissioners' meeting, he was welcomed back as a long-known friend.

As a representative of Peter Cooper, Mukherjee first addressed the board in 2006 with plans for a car wash at 4540 Broadway.

Mukherjee reviewed the numerous submissions of car wash plans through the past eight years and mentioned a few changes, which occurred.

Cooper intended the facility to be an innovative "green" car wash, which would incorporate LEED construction techniques and stormwater management.

He sought LEED certification in 2007 but didn't follow through with development.

Not much happened with the project until August 2013 when the board approved some updated stormwater management details.

Mukherjee said Cooper was ready to move forward when he ran into an issue with PPL.

A large power line runs across the property, and PPL requested screening for it, which Cooper is providing.

Mukherjee says everything finally appears to be in order regarding plans for the car wash.

Cooper intends to construct a one-story, 2,983-square foot commercial car wash building and a 15-space parking lot on the 1.3 acre property.

Commissioners granted approval for the project.

South Whitehall engineer Ralph Russek commented on the plan.

"We're ready to schedule the pre-construction conference," he said.