A Jim Thorpe developer continues to plot out his planned residential developments in Mahoning Township and Jim Thorpe.

Jake Arner, president of Awesome View Properties Inc., briefly discussed his planned residential development with Mahoning supervisors on Wednesday.

Sierra Vista Estates has 104 units on Flagstaff Road right next to the Flagstaff ballroom and has been approved as a residential development in the township.

Canyon Rim Estates, his residential development in Jim Thorpe, has 270 units and was approved for short-term rentals, a winery, a tram and a camping facility.

“One issue is adequate parking for the tram,” Arner said. “People park on Flagstaff Road; that causes me concern.”

Arner told supervisors his hope is that Sierra Vista is also approved for short-term rentals.

Last week, supervisors authorized township solicitor Tom Nanovic to draft an ordinance similar to what Penn Forest Township supervisors previously adopted.

After Wednesday’s meeting, Arner discussed the benefits associated with short-term rentals.

“Short-term rentals makes sense because there is a shortage of accommodations in Jim Thorpe and surrounding areas, including Blue Mountain Ski Area, simply not enough hotels, B&Bs and short-term rentals,” he said. “For that reason, many people would like to come to our area and stay a couple of days or a week, but they’re sending those people home after a day because there’s no place to stay.

“All the businesses in Carbon County are missing out on business because we can’t accommodate the people who are coming,” Arner said.

He mentioned gas stations, grocery stores, tourist shops and tourist businesses, and restaurants.

“All the businesses, such as Whitewater Rafting and the biking companies, they say the exact same thing: we are losing so much business because people ask us, ‘can we stay over,’ and we have to tell them everything is booked.”

He added, “Our area has enough great amenities that we can do this, we can provide a quality experience for people a whole week long.”

He said his goal is to make the businesses better, with less impact on the residents of Lehighton and Jim Thorpe.

Short-term rentals don’t have to be on weekend. People can relax and spread things out over several days, perhaps even a week.

“Everything, from tours and biking and everything else can be much more relaxed for everybody; parking lots don’t have to be full, there doesn’t have to be lines, restaurants don’t have to be packed. By incorporating the tram into this, there won’t have to be any traffic backups either because the parking can take place outside of downtown Jim Thorpe.”

However, Arner said he isn’t trying to play favorites.

“What I’m trying to do with the municipalities is if they see value in this, and the tram group sees value in it, I’m certainly willing to help,” he said. “My concern is for my development, and also for the people of Jim Thorpe. Flagstaff Road went from a road that wasn’t used a lot, to when the Mansion House project took place, many people continue to use it today. It reduces traffic, especially at the traffic light in Jim Thorpe. The road isn’t wide enough to have parking on Flagstaff Road.

“My concern is if this project is going to take place, I want to make sure that by cooperating, we have enough parking. I spoke to Jim Thorpe and Mahoning Township about that in prior months. I’m trying to plan properly and see who realizes that it’s smart to do it now.”