The King George Inn, which has held a prominent position in what is now Dorneyville for more than 250 years, may be demolished and replaced by a coordinated commercial development.

South Whitehall Zoning Officer Keith Zehner reports Harshila Patel is seeking variances for his proposed use of four contiguous lots along the northeast portion of the Hamilton and Cedar Crest Boulevard intersection.

Patel, who wants to purchase the King George Inn and an adjacent small lot from owner Clifford McDermott, already owns the nearby Burger King and Carvel sites, which are no longer open for business.

The four lots add up to 5.3 acres.

Patel, of Hotel Hamilton LLC, plans to demolish the King George Inn and erect a 4,000-square-foot bank on the cleared lot.

He proposes a 14,800-square-foot drug store alongside the bank and a 26,000-square-foot motel, with 100 rooms, positioned inward from Hamilton Boulevard.

He is seeking variances for maximum building height, ultimate right-of-way widths for the street, and parking lot setbacks.

He is also asking for a reduction in the number of parking spaces from the 215 required by the ordinance to 190.

Patel's zoning appeal includes a review of the categories of "hotel" and "motel" and the concept of "extended stay motel," which is not provided for in the ordinance.

Formerly known as the White Horse Inn and, before that, the Dorneyville Hotel, the King George Inn survived a PennDOT highway redesign in the mid 1970s through the efforts of McDermott and the public who wanted it saved.

Although the King George Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, that status does not control its preservation.

Zehner said an individual who owns the historic stone building across from the inn spoke against its demolition at the July 24 meeting.

However, the zoning board has no jurisdiction over that decision.

If Patel's plans for the new buildings move forward, a demolition permit may be obtained.

The only restrictions relate to safety regarding utilities, such as gas and electric.

The next zoning hearing on the King George Inn is scheduled for Aug. 28.