Plan for Convenience Store at Route 22/Route 191 Intersection in Bethlehem Township Under Review on Wednesday

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

The plan to turn the old Exxon gas station at Route 22 and Route 191 into a convenience store goes back before the Bethlehem Township Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday.

Ownership wants to turn the gas station, which closed more than 20 years ago, into a convenience store with gas pumps. The township’s zoning officer considers a convenience store not to be an allowed use, while the owner argues that the Exxon station included a “snack shop.”

Back when it was a gas station, I stopped there a few times but it could become a mess. If people buying gas were all southbound, headed toward the Bethlehem Square Shopping Center and the old KMart property, it was fine.

Now and then somebody would sneak in who was headed northbound, and people had to back up to get out, or wait, and there was beeping and a little shouting. A curse or two was exchanged. Really.

There is a lot more traffic in the area now, particularly with trucks coming off Brodhead Road. Still, the owner can use the property, but whether the zoning ruling against a convenience store will stand up may be determined Wednesday.

The Bethlehem Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the township municipal building, 4225 Easton Ave.

Also on the agenda are items about another Jaindl development and the proposed for 200-plus apartments Chrin wants to build at the old V-7 site. Neither of those appears to be close to final rulings, and the Chrin development is seeking a six-month extension.

Agendas are subject to change. Check the township’s website.