Summit Hill Borough Council learned last night the Carbon County Court has ruled in favor of the Northeast Land Company in the matter of establishing a 17-acre real estate development in the Lentz Trail area, between Summit Hill and Jim Thorpe and opposite the entrance to the Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

Thomas S. McCready, solicitor, reported Judge John P. Lavelle has ruled in favor of the Blakeslee-based development firm’s plans.

The borough and its planning commission, as well as sportsmen’s groups, have vigorously protested against the development, claiming it could lead to pollution of the lake.

The jurist’s decision in favor of the company is based on DER’s changing of its criteria regarding on-lot sewerage, the solicitor said.