Planners voted to approve the plans and send them to the township supervisors for review.
Allen said the restaurant would produce $80,000 in traffic impact fees for Washington Township.
"We are obviously generating traffic here," he said.
In Washington Township, impact fees are imposed on new development along Washington Township Boulevard to fund the construction of that roadway.
Washington Township Boulevard is a relief route being built in stages. It is designed to alleviate traffic congestion on Pa. 16 by funneling vehicles to the north of Waynesboro.
Allen explained he did not want to create entrances from Washington Township Boulevard and rather situated the main one off Old Forge Road. He plans to add one to the south side of the property.
The engineer's proposal includes 142 parking spaces with a few designated for Applebee's "Curbside to Go" food pickup service.
The restaurant would be a company-owned store and not a franchise, according to Allen.
The Washington Township Municipal Authority, which governs the water and sewer systems in the township, has not reviewed the proposal. Plans include tapping into water and sewer lines in use by nearby businesses.
The Lowe's store is scheduled to open Friday, Jan. 20, and Wal-Mart sometime this summer.
