The rubble of the former Perkins Restaurant on MacArthur road could be removed over the next few weeks in order for a new land development plan, approved by the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, to proceed.

The commissioners acted on a recommendation by the township planning commission that approval for the project be allowed, noting several conditions must be met.

Overlooking the Lehigh Valley Thruway/Route 22, the new use of the property will not include construction of a restaurant, but be a retail business.

Currently on the site is the remains of a Perkins Restaurant which was severely damaged by a fire on March 30, 2014.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the township at this time does not know the name or what type of retail entity will occupy the structure when erected.

Taking into account there is a pending lease, Attorney John Gross, representing the developer, declined to say who the tenant will be until final paperwork is in place.

In its report to the commissioners, the planning commission stipulated the board require the plan show the status of the property owners and that the available parking must support the proposed use. Also, a dumpster pad must be screened.

The township zoning officer will need to determine the required number of parking spaces once the use is declared on the building permit application.

Located at 1450 MacArthur Road, the site lies within the traffic improvement district and is subject to a traffic impact fee. However, the commissioners were advised that the proposed building is slightly smaller than the existing structure.

The fee will be waived, unless the proposed use generates more evening peak trips than the existing restaurant.