When St. Luke’s new building in Lansford opens next year, patients who have trouble walking will be able to unload at the front door.

Lansford Borough Council approved a request Wednesday night to allow St. Luke’s to restrict parking on Coal and West Patterson streets during business hours.

During the daytime hours, six spaces on the west side of Coal street and one on Patterson will be St. Luke’s parking only.

Michael Garfield, attorney for Lansford Palace LLC and its principal, Joseph Bennett, said that with financing in place, the parking is the last hurdle for the project to move forward.

“The dilemma is St. Luke’s hospital is almost demanding this of him, or they may not go through with the project,” Garfield said.

The project includes a parking lot across Patterson Street, which will accommodate most visitors to the facility. But Garfield said that St. Luke’s also wants to be able to serve patients who are unable to walk that distance.

“St. Luke’s prides themselves on the fact that you can get there even if you’re not totally ambulatory,” Garfield said.

Council also granted Garfield’s request to waive the $150 per space, per year fee for the spaces.

Garfield argued that the spots are not metered, so the borough wouldn’t lose any revenue.

He estimated that the building, when finished, will provide about $20,000 in tax revenue each year for the borough, and even more for the Panther Valley School District.

Councilman Jared Soto said the borough should have the flexibility to revisit the agreement, particularly if the building is sold or becomes nonprofit.