A new Panera Bread location is being planned for Harborcreek Township.

Township officials have granted final approval for a new 12,165-square-foot restaurant and retail space on property near the new Giant Eagle Store on Buffalo Road.

Connie Cruz, the township’s zoning assistant, said parcel would be occupied by Panera Bread and a yet-to-be-determined retailer.

Plans call for Panera to be built east of Taco Bell on land now occupied by a defunct oil-change facility.

The new Panera would be the fourth in the Erie area. There are existing Panera locations on Keystone Drive and West 12th Street. A third location is under construction at 4014 Peach St.

Demolition is expected to begin this fall, followed shortly thereafter by construction.

The township also has granted approval to Giant Eagle Inc. for a new GetGo convenience store to be built west of Walgreen on Buffalo Road. Demolition and construction for that project are expected to begin this fall.

Harborcreek Supervisor Dean Pepicello, who oversees the township’s zoning department, said the new Giant Eagle, which opened in June, has begun to transform the neighborhood.

“I think the Giant Eagle coming into Eastway Plaza helped remove a big eyesore,” he said. “Now, we are starting to see new retail and restaurants.”