Carbon County officials aired their opinions over a proposed change that would allow an on-lot septic system to be installed near Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

Last week, Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that earlier this month the borough narrowly authorized its solicitor to draw up a zoning amendment that would allow for the septic system on property near the lake.

The borough requires all properties within a half-mile of the lake to connect to public sewer, but the amendment would allow on-lot septic systems for properties 5 acres or larger that are at least 1,000 feet, but less than a half-mile, from Mauch Chunk Lake.

Lukasevich said that the county has “always been vigilant when items of this nature could potentially impact the high quality recreational experience that the county provides for its residents and visitors.”

He cited September 1980 when the county purchased approximately 1,100 acres from Mount Pisgah, which helped connect the Switchback to Mauch Chunk Lake Park and Canal Heritage Corridor.

Lukasevich said there are three things that come to mind with the possible zoning change, including the need for the county to be vigilant of any potential code or zoning changes that could affect the quality of recreational experience; that the county needs to be proactive when opportunities to purchase land like this present itself; and if funds were available, the county could take potential action to protect the watershed.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that in 2002, the county eliminated its holding tanks for waste at the lake park, and constructed sewer lines and installed grinder pumps.

“The goal of that (project) was to protect the water quality,” he said, noting that Jim Thorpe uses water from Mauch Chunk Lake as a backup supply.

The commissioners took no action on the matter since none was required.

Jim Thorpe Borough Council approved the change 4-2 with two members of the borough’s planning commission, Louis Hall and John McGuire, speaking out against the plan because they think a buffer should remain to protect the water.

“I think council would be making a very bad decision by allowing the amendment,” Hall said at the council meeting. “There is enough acreage up there that this could turn into a 45-50 home subdivision. People would much rather go to a lake in the Pocono Mountains and not a 40- or 50-house subdivision.”

Council members Jessica Crowley and Bob Schaninger voted no for the amendment.

The property in question is owned by Edward Kanick. His attorney says that it would cost Kanick upward of $500,000 to connect to a public sewer line based on the location of the property in conjunction to where a line is now.

The zoning amendment still needs to go back before the planning commission after the solicitor drafts the changes before council can take it up for approval.