South Whitehall commissioners have approved plans for a 4,050-square-foot drive-through restaurant at the Tilghman Square shopping center, 4650 Broadway.

The new building will be south of the AMC theater and will result in a loss of 87 parking spaces on the 34-acre lot.

The design includes a drive-through queuing line equivalent to the length of six cars.

Tilghman Square owner Victor Kelly told commissioners at their Feb. 3 meeting the drive-through restaurant is an addition to the major investment he has made to upgrade the center.

Kelly said he spent $850,000 over the past year on improvements and intends to continue to enhance the property.

“We’re going to be pretty much filled for the next five years,” Kelly said regarding existing tenants renewing their leases.

He continued to discuss the drive-through.

“There has not been a defined user yet,” he said. “We’re not even certain it will be a restaurant. It hasn’t been marketed yet.

“We’re waiting for approval.”

He said most of the space on the property is accounted for.

The Tesla electronic car recharging station takes up a section Kelly once considered for a separate building.

He reported there has been a positive response from proponents of the Tesla chargers.

In other business, township Manager Howard Kutzler reported residents have requested a decrease in traffic speed on Lincoln Avenue from Hamilton Boulevard South to the Salisbury Township boundary.

Kutzler noted methods of speed control could be lowering the speed limit, placement of bumps or installation of crosswalks using different surfaces or colors.

Township engineer J. Ralph Russek Jr. commented on the issue.

“You don’t want to slow your emergency vehicles down with bumps,” Russek said.

Commissioners directed Russek to see what kind of measures would be appropriate and to look into traffic calming opportunities where Lincoln Avenue intersects with Catherine Avenue, Alama Drive, Highpoint Drive and the area of South Whitehall Chase Park.

They also granted approval for Matthew Mobilio to fill the unexpired term of Matt Malqueen on the zoning hearing board. Mulqueen joined the board of commissioners in January.

Mobilio is an attorney with experience in municipal legal work.

Two alternate members are still needed for the zoning hearing board.