Lehighton Borough Council last week on a 6-0 vote approved a waiver to a section of the Subdivision and Land Development plan for the Lehighton Ford Land Development Project.

The dealership located along Blakeslee Boulevard Drive plans to demolish its current buildings and build new ones.

After the meeting, borough Manager Steve Travers said the waiver was to accept Lehighton Ford’s preliminary and final plan as one submission.

“They have to submit their building plans, and there’s a plan review that our code enforcement officer will have to review the plans, approve the plans, and they can start construction,” Travers said.

Travers said Lehighton Ford currently owns two lots, and will initially tear down the metal building, though the dealership will remain open.

He said Lehighton Ford will then construct a new building with a new showroom, new shop, and once that’s completed, they will then tear down the existing showroom at their shop.

Travers added the dealership will eventually be parking some of their in-stock vehicles across the street.

“The biggest reason they are doing this is because Ford is changing their model of how they operate,” he said. “Ford is requiring them to upgrade their building to be able to handle the sale of electric vehicles, and the repairs of electric vehicles.”

Travers said they will need to have so many charging stations.

“I give them (Lehighton Ford) a lot of credit, because they want to stay in Lehighton, which is good for us,” he said, adding they generate taxes. “It also provides jobs, so having them stay here is a good thing.”

Travers said the project is expected to start sometime this year.