Jim Thorpe Borough Council unanimously shot down a proposed zoning change Thursday night that would have allowed on-lot septic systems for properties five acres or larger at least 1,000 feet from Mauch Chunk Lake.

The decision brings to an end at least a year of heavy public opposition to the proposal, which came about after Lentz Trail resident Ed Kanick submitted plans to build nine homes on 60 acres.

Council President Greg Strubinger said throughout the process he was concerned that should Kanick not be allowed an on-lot septic system, he pay to run the municipal sewer line to the area, which could lead to a much larger development.

Residents who have packed Jim Thorpe meetings since the beginning of the year, however, argued Kanick’s land was undevelopable and any change to the on-lot septic buffer from the lake could have an adverse impact on the municipality’s drinking water.

“Council has taken the issue seriously and it has been put forth in a manner that I believe was proper and appropriate under the circumstances,” Strubinger said Thursday. “I think everyone needs to see both sides. Summit Hill has had 20-30 homes with in-ground systems on their side of the lake for 40 years with no incidents. But we do hear everyone and respect their opinions on a very important issue. I wished to see council unified tonight.”

Earlier Thursday, Carbon County Commissioners voted to purchase a majority of the Kanick parcel that was the subject of his subdivision and land development plans. Kanick will retain about 10 acres after the sale.

Jim Thorpe’s decision to scrap the ordinance amendment drew a round of applause from audience members who have been asking for several months for closure on the issue.

“We need to protect that water,” John McGuire, Jim Thorpe planning commission member, said. “I want to thank council for realizing that here tonight. This is a great thing for the community. The planning commission did hours and hours of research on this and I’m glad to see the unification from council tonight. Summit Hill caved years ago and put homes on their side of the lake for a few tax dollars. I’m glad we didn’t do the same thing.”

In an interview last fall, Kanick said he wanted to put about nine homes on his property in an attempt to have his family live closer.

“We have worked with our engineering firm, Keystone Consulting, to design backup drain fields and add multiple other precautionary measures in case something should fail,” he said. “The system will have an alarm on it. We are going to have yearly inspections included under deed restrictions and mandatory system pump outs every three years.”

Nonetheless, Jim Thorpe residents such as Brandon Fogel warned of the environmental dangers of in-ground septic near the watershed.

“There is a large amount of runoff in this area and it definitely causes leakage,” Fogel said. “This land was purchased inexpensively because it can’t be developed.”

Fogel referenced the November 2022 referendum when more than 82% of Carbon County voters supported allowing county commissioners to borrow up to $10 million over the next 20 years to protect water quality, farmlands, and wildlife habitats.

“You can’t get 82% of people to agree on anything,” Fogel said. “That was a mandate to protect open space and waterways. Doing away with this zoning issue reassures voters that appropriate actions were taken and we can all move on to the many other important things impacting our community.”