Sept. 13, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The owners of the former Exxon station on Route 191, just off the Route 22 exit, are again asking Bethlehem Township to approve a convenience store at the site.
The township’s zoning officer has ruled that turning a former gas station into a gas station with convenience store is a change in use, requiring additional presentations from the owner. The owners of 4063 Nazareth Pike have asserted that the “mandates are not applicable.”
The station has been closed for several years. It’s on a 0.55-acre lot on the west side of Nazareth Pike (Route 191). Every day thousands of drivers get a view of it as they leave Route 22.
The intersection of Route 191 and Route 22 is often congested with commuters and shoppers, with lots of big trucks coming through there off Brodhead Road.
The township Zoning Hearing Board will hear the appeal at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Meeting agendas are subject to change. See the township website before heading to the municipal building at 4225 Easton Ave.
Below is a cut-and-paste clip from the agenda:
REMAND HEARING: Appeal #23-2023 of Rajwinder Nagra and 4WAY JUNCTION LLC who seek relief concerning real estate located at 4063 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem Township, Northampton County. The 0.55-acre lot upon which is situated a vacant former auto service station exists on the West side of Pennsylvania Route 191 – Nazareth Pike opposite the Pennsylvania Route 22 interchange ramp. The appellants seek to appeal a “Zoning Determination” issued by the Bethlehem Township Zoning Administrator on September 26, 2023.
The appellants propose to operate an auto service station and convenience store.
The Zoning Administrator has determined that operation of a convenience store will constitute a change in principle use which requires the submission of a Site Plan reflecting provision for adequate loading area, and minimum drive aisle widths; compliance with the vehicular parking standards required by Section 275-142.A(1) of the Bethlehem Township Zoning Code; compliance with use standards for auto service stations as mandated by Section 275-189.A(10); and compliance with the protocol necessary to secure a state highway access permit as issued by PennDot pursuant to Section 275-144.D(6) of the Zoning Code.
The appellants seek a review of the Zoning Determination issued by the Zoning Administrator by asserting that the above mandates are not applicable. The real estate is located in the Conservation Recreation (CR) Zoning District and Commercial Enhancement Overlay District, maintains Northampton County Tax Parcel Identification Number M7 4 4A 0205, and is described at Northampton County Deed Book Volume 2023-1, Page 086508.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 