A Jim Thorpe-area rafting business is looking to relocate and expand in Lehighton but some work is needed on its plans before the project becomes a reality.

The Carbon County Planning Commission reviewed two plans for Jim Thorpe River Sports, which is proposing a multipurpose site at the intersection of North Main Lane and Lehigh Drive, just off the Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard in Lehighton. The plans call for creating an outdoor center for rafting and biking, as well as a kayaking school.The first plan, a lot line revision, received conditional plan approval, while the land development plan received conditional plan rejection.Ivan Meixell Jr., county planner, provided his reviews before the commission voted on the recommendations.The lot line revision plans call for combining two lots to create a 7.6071-acre lot.Meixell outlined a few issues that need to be addressed, including easements not shown on the plan, tax parcel IDs not correct and right of way widths not shown.In the second plan, the project calls for constructing an 11,160-square-foot building, with six garages, covered entries and a paved parking lot, as well as three 518-square-foot sheds, a 34-foot by 44-foot pavilion, and a tar and chip/grass parking area containing 269 spaces.Meixell read a letter from the borough of Lehighton, which stated that "the project fits well with the future plan of the borough of Lehighton," which has been working to create a recreational area near the Lehigh River and D&L trail as part of its downtown revitalization initiative.It would have significant positive economic impacts for the borough, the letter stated.The company already serves thousands of people in its rafting company annually, and employs approximately 120 people.Meixell said in his recommendation that there are a number of areas of noncompliance with Lehighton's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances that must be addressed before the plans could move forward, including the issues outlined in the lot line revision plan; as well as resolve setbacks that require borough zoning board action, permits and reviews must be obtained from the state and Carbon Conservation District, and approval from the Lehighton Water Authority and Lehighton Sewer Authority should be provided for final plan approval; and easements should be provided for the installation of any underground conduits for electrical power and approved by the Lehighton Power and Light Department.