Lehighton Kia got the green light on Monday from Mahoning Township supervisors to proceed with plans to move to a new location, but some conditions do apply.

The dealership plans to move from its present location at Route 443 near the Route 209 Thomas J. McCall Memorial Bridge to a site at the intersection of Route 443 and Ashtown Drive.One of the key conditions involves installing screening along its Route 443 property line, possibly with trees, shrubs or fencing.The supervisors said the township ordinance requires commercial property to have screening around its perimeter.A zoning hearing board approved a variance to that requirement.Attorney Thomas Nanovic, solicitor for the township, said a challenge to the variance has been filed by a neighboring property owner, the Pavlack Law Firm, whose offices are across the street from where the car dealership wants to relocate.After lengthy discussion on the matter, the supervisors agreed to allow Lehighton Kia to relocate its dealership to the site, but will have to keep money in an escrow account to provide for screening if the courts rule in favor of the Pavlack firm.The supervisors gave final preliminary plan approval with the following conditions:• Add stormwater maintenance not on the plan after consultation with the township's solicitor and engineer.• Complete a development agreement.• Provide security funds.• Receive final approval from the Mahoning Township Municipal Authority.• Submit an electronic copy of the plans to the township.• Pay all outstanding fees.Initially, the supervisors indicated they would not approve the preliminary plans without screening along Route 443.Bill Rosado, owner of Lehighton Kia, said, "Being a car dealer, exposing and displaying the cars obviously is important."He also said he wants to proceed with construction before winter weather arrives.Rosado said that waiting for legal challenges to be resolved could take over a year.A new building will be erected.Rosado said, "The purpose of putting a building up is not to hide from the public. It's quite the opposite.""Where I'm at now is a difficult place to do business," he said, regarding the reason he wants to move to the new location.He did not give a timetable on when he will be relocating to the Ashtown Drive site.