The for rent sign standing in the empty lot at the corner of Bath Street and Rt 13 can come down now as a new tenant is taking moving into the space, years after Lukoil shut operations down.

Direct Auto Sales (DAS) will be moving into 802 Bath Street pending final approval from the planning commission and council, Lower Bucks Source confirmed last week. 

The auto dealer also operates a site in Philadelphia on State Road. 

Spokesman for the property, Ilya Vorbey of RE/MAX Elite, said the next hurdle for the auto sales business, hopefully the final step, is going before the Borough Planning Commision next month at the earliest and getting their approval before seeking borough approval. 

Lukoil abandoned and closed the gas station operating there in late 2017 – early 2018.

Gas tanks and the station building which also housed a two bay mechanics shop now removed is at a prime location and one of three entry points into Bristol Borough from Route 13.

The new renters of the now vacant lot sitting at 802 Bath St went before the Bristol Borough Zoning Board earlier this month and had a series of variance requests approved, said a spokesman for the site. 

802 Bath Limited Liability Company, according to zoning board records, appeared at the September 6 Zoning Board meeting  appealing a prior zoning board hearing decision. 

Vorbey said the variances requested are due to the new planned construction. 

The auto dealer sells vehicles of all sorts ranging from Audi to Volvo, and all makes, models and body styles in between. According to Direct Auto Sales in Philadelphia’s website the dealership also takes trade-ins

Vorbey said accessory repairs will also be offered to DAS customers. 

According to Realty.com the property is approximately 27,000 sq feet and the property owners were willing to lease a lot or build to suit the high traffic location. 

The site is zoned highway commercial. Permitted uses are: Bank, Auto/Boat/RV sales, Car Wash, Check Cashing Facility, Restaurants, according to the Borough Zoning Code.

We’re really hoping that construction can be completed within the next four months but we realize we still have some steps to go through before opening, Vorbey said. 

The news comes on the heels of the recent announcements of Rite Aide and the state operated wine and spirits outlet in the Bristol Plaza closing by the end of September.