The future of the Mountain Laurel Golf Course is uncertain.

The course, located in Kidder Township and East Side Borough in northern Carbon County, is located just off Interstate 80 near White Haven.

East Side Borough Council learned at its meeting this month that it will not remain a golf course if current owners get their wish.

The Mountain Laurel Golf Course’s owners gave a presentation requesting a change in zoning for their property in East Side Borough from its current CR (recreation) to B1 (highway business). The East Side portion of the property contains the clubhouse and parking, driving range, pro shop, maintenance building, and six holes, along with parts of three other holes that extend into Kidder.

Attorney Stephanie Koval of Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba spoke of starting a dialogue with the borough, hoping to obtain feedback, but that the intent was to sell the property for other uses.

Planner Tom Shepstone of Shepstone Management Company of Honesdale said a CR zone limits uses, pointing out that it would not permit the “highest and best use” of the property.

The intersection of Route 534 and Interstate 80, adjacent to the property, makes it attractive for broader uses to include warehouses, waterparks, and other commercial businesses. He noted that the 30-foot height restriction in a CR zone would increase to 40 feet in B1, though for a warehouse that might need to also be amended taller.

That use would generate tax revenues and jobs for the borough, he said.

He volunteered to draft a proposed amendment to the borough’s zoning ordinance.

Council had many questions. Council President Louis Esa asked what the use would be if the property was amended.

“We’re certainly considering a warehouse,” Shepstone answered.

Council member Mike Best asked if it might be sold to another golf course. The answer was no. The owners say neither the course nor its restaurant has been profitable for years, so it has been subsidized by other businesses they own.

Numbers of rounds have gone down significantly, and people don’t have the extra money to spend on golf. It was also pointed out that three golf courses exist within 15 minutes of Mountain Laurel.

Esa thanked the owners and their consultants for their willingness to come to council and discuss the issue. He called it “a loss for the community if it disappears, especially the restaurant.”

Council member Rudy Schoch expressed concern about sewage capacity for such a change. He pointed out that sufficient EDUs for a warehouse or other big commercial project may not be available in the White Haven sewage treatment plant, which is owned by Aqua Pennsylvania.

No action was taken.

Council will discuss the issue with their solicitor, James Nanovic, who was not present.

Something similar has occurred on the Pocono Manor Golf Course near Mount Pocono, where the owners sold most of the land from 18 of their 36 golf course holes in Tobyhanna Township, the land closest to the highway, to the Kalahari Resort. The sale reduced the number of holes of the golf course to the Pocono Manor’s 18 holes built in 1912 and 1913.

In addition to being the site of the Kalahari Resort, the project also created a large parcel beside the interchange of Route 940 and Interstate 380. The property owners are seeking to develop this parcel, which is now partially cleared.

The site was to become the Pocono Spring shopping and entertainment venue, but that project appears to be stalled.