With the recent closure of the Family Dollar store in downtown Tamaqua, developers are eager to get started on the new building, which will be located between Burger King and Rite-Aid.

However, they've been hampered by the inability of Tamaqua's Planning Commission to grant them final approval of their plans. The planning commission has been beset by troubles, including uncooperative weather and a lack of a quorum of members. This is partly due to a recent and unexpected death of one of its members.Ed Nordahl of Ludgate Engineering and Gary Winkleman, a representative of the developer, approached Tamaqua Borough Council about granting the final approval Tuesday night so the project could move forward.They have waited over 90 days for the planning commission to meet. There was much discussion over "technical items," including a lack of sidewalk on the Spruce Street side of the property and some storm water drainage issues.Winkleman said the developer will do "whatever it takes" to get the approval. "If we need to put a sidewalk on Spruce Street, we will," he said.The curbing and sidewalks along the Center Street side of the project will be done in conjunction with the Streetscape project that is slated for Center Street. Winkleman said the developer has the option of doing the work themselves or paying the contractors who are doing the rest of the project. The new store will be the chain's standard prototype store and have about 8,300 square feet of retail space.Council President Micah Gursky again asked for any residents who are interested in serving on the planning commission, or any of the commissions and boards in the borough, to submit a letter of interest to the borough.Later in the meeting, Councilman Dan Evans submitted a letter requesting appointment to the planning commission. His request was approved.While this will allow the commission to have a quorum, there are still vacancies on the commission. Gursky said several other projects are currently on hold due to the lack of meetings by the commission.