A proposed medical center in Lansford cleared a major hurdle Thursday night as the borough's zoning hearing board approved several variances needed for the project.

Developer Joseph J. Bennett also confirmed that St. Luke's University Health Network will lease the building and operate it like the centers he recently built in Lehighton and West Penn Township.Pending approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bennett hopes to break ground this year on a two-story, 4,450 square-foot medical center on the southwest corner of Patterson and Coal streets."We hope to be completed by early spring, but there is a lot of work to be done to make sure we comply with all ordinances and all regulations from the state," Bennett said after Thursday's meeting.The proposed St. Luke's Lansford Campus will feature a Care Now urgent care clinic, as well as physical and occupational therapy services. Bennett said the plan was changed at the last minute to include a hydrotherapy pool on the first floor, only the second such unit in the St. Luke's system."This is an opportunity for folks to be served within the Lansford community," Bennett said.In all, the facility will cost about $1.2 million to build, Bennett said.While hospitals can claim tax-exempt status, Bennett said the building will be privately owned and therefore subject to property taxes. He has built four other similar medical centers for St. Luke's."I think the community will be well served by such an excellent organization as St. Luke's, and we're pleased that we've received such positive responses in the community," Bennett said.Through a company he owns, Bennett acquired and demolished the abandoned Palace Theater in order to create the site for the proposed facility. He said Thursday night that he considered using the Palace in the design, but it was too dilapidated and had to be taken down.Bennett also acquired a second abandoned building at the northwest corner of Patterson and Coal, taking it down for a parking lot. He said he has put about $160,000 into demolition.Both properties were acquired at tax sale, meaning the previous owners owed back taxes. The new building is expected to bring in significant tax revenue for the cash-strapped borough and Panther Valley School District.Bennett could still need PennDOT approval because the project sits along state Route 209.In most municipalities in Pennsylvania, council or the board of supervisors would get to vote on the plan. But Lansford does not have its own subdivision and land development ordinance, so the zoning board's approval may be enough for Bennett to move forward.He also needs borough council's approval to close off seven parking spaces around the building for use by disabled patients.Thursday's hearing was held because Bennett asked the zoning board for variances from a number of requirements of the borough zoning code. Twelve surrounding property owners were notified of the hearing and none objected to the plan.Bennett said he needed the variances because he wants to use the foundation from the Palace to support the new facility. The Palace would have violated the zoning code if it were built today. However the old building wasn't grandfathered in as a non-conforming use because Bennett completely demolished it.Bennett thanked the board, as well as members of council for showing their support for the project. Council President Martin Ditsky was one of the residents who spoke in favor of Bennett's proposal."They were very attentive and very receptive. I also appreciate the fact that borough council members were here as well in support of this project," Bennett said.