Politics & Government
Lower Nazareth Supervisors Approve Panera Bread plan
A new Panera will be chain's first area restaurant to have drive-through service, but neighboring store owner raises concerns; proposed 2012 budget has no tax hike.
Lower Nazareth Township supervisors on Wednesday approved a land development plan for at the site of the former Blockbuster store in the Northampton Crossings shopping center.
Meanwhile, the supervisors were told that the proposed 2012 budget does not include a tax increase.
The restaurant – which features baked goods, wraps, soups, sandwiches and salads – will be the first Panera location in the area to It is scheduled to open early next year.
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Supervisors unanimously approved the land plan following a brief presentation from project developers and remarks from township engineer Al Kortze, who said all his concerns had been met and recommended approval. Last week, the Lower recommended that supervisors approve the plan.
The only note of caution regarding the plan at Wednesday's meeting came from Frank Cassio, the owner of , a furniture store next to the proposed Panera site. He expressed concern that large trucks making deliveries to his store might be forced to block access to the Panera drive-though window.
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“They won't have any choice,” Cassio said, noting that he and his staff will need to direct traffic near the drive-through window while deliveries are in progress.
Supervisors suggested adding road signs to the pavement marking already included in the plan to help drivers navigate the squeezy area.
As previously reported by Patch, Panera plans to hire about 24 employees, with 10 to 12 workers staffing each of two shifts.
Panera Bread restaurants are open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In other business, township manager Timm Tenges presented an overview of the proposed 2012 township budget. Township finances are tight as the economy in general struggles to recover, Tenges said.
He had good news for Lower Nazareth taxpayers: The proposed budget does not call for a tax increase. Millage would remain at 4.15 mills. To make that happen, Tenges said he had to cut expenses to the bone and put some optional projects and expenditures – such as hiring an additional worker for the township's Public Works department – “on hold.”
Supervisors decided not to advertise the proposed budget for public inspection until their next meeting on Nov. 16, to allow Supervisors Ricky Johnson and Robert Kucsan to comment. Johnson and Kucsan did not attend Wednesday's meeting.