Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko said last week he does not support a proposed zoning change that would allow on-lot septic systems for properties five acres or larger at least 1,000 feet from Mauch Chunk Lake.

“I think we should leave the zoning the way it is,” Sofranko said. “What does need to happen is our zoning board and planning commission need to get together and address this for the future.”

The zoning change would impact a subdivision proposal by Lentz Trail resident Ed Kanick, who initially planned to build nine homes on around 60 acres. Kanick, however, recently offered to sell 45 acres of land to the Carbon County while retaining the last 10 for himself and his family.

“Even if that piece of land is purchased, which I fully support, it doesn’t stop there,” Sofranko said. “You’ll have the next piece of land and the next piece of land. It doesn’t just happen here. I think the county should work diligently to purchase not just this tract, but all of the land around the lake to preserve it.”

Council President Greg Strubinger said the governing body had to weigh both sides of the issue, including the potential that a property owner could pay to run the municipal sewer line out to that area, opening the door for larger development possibilities. Single-family dwellings are a permitted use in the special zoning district.

“The council has no ability to stop someone from improving or developing their land,” Strubinger said. “Anyone has a right to develop their property.”

County resident Jim Whitehead said his family agreed to sell their land, 500-plus acres at $20 an acre, for the creation of the Mauch Chunk Creek watershed in 1967.

“I’m sure our family had its own dreams of what that land represented for their children in the future, but the decisions made by a few back then benefited all of us today,” Whitehead said. “If you decide to change existing zoning laws now, that will only benefit the developer.”

Having spoken out against the zoning change since the outset, Jim Thorpe Planning Commission Chairman Louis Hall said the slope of the Kanick property would make it difficult to produce even one lot.

“I don’t even advise the county to get involved with it,” Hall said. “The property isn’t good for anything but tree harvesting.”

Linda Christman, Save Carbon County president, joined other members of the nonprofit group in calling for the borough to make a decision on the zoning proposal Thursday.

“You won’t get any more information on the issue,” Christman said. “You know the county planning commission, your own planning commission, the county and the Jim Thorpe residents all oppose changing the zoning.”

The item remained on the old business part of council’s agenda, however, with no action Thursday.

Sofranko said council is going through the checks and balances that are necessary before moving on such an important item.

“The fear is always, can you be sued for not allowing someone to use land the way they wish?” Sofranko said. “Council’s concern is if they stay with septic the way it is now, will there be more development out there if someone pays to run the municipal line out. Ultimately, I would like to see the zoning left alone, but regulations set up to move us forward into the future.”