A Jim Thorpe developer will have to wait until Leap Day to learn if short-term rentals are allowed on his Sierra Vista Estates property in Mahoning Township.

After about a three-hour meeting, the township’s zoning hearing board on Tuesday chose not to take any action after hearing testimony from several people on the plan by Jake Arner, president of Awesome View Properties Inc.

The board will reconvene at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 for a decision.

Sierra Vista Estates has 104 units on Flagstaff Road next to the Flagstaff ballroom and has been approved as a residential development in the township.

The zoning officer has denied the use for camping/glamping, short-term rentals and parking for the 200-acre property.

Ken Berger, who lives on Flagstaff Road in Mahoning Township, asked about the camping proposal, and whether there would be campfires.

Berger said if that is allowed, then someone should constantly monitor it.

William Miller, who lives in Penn Forest Township, told the board he was there to back Arner’s plans.

Miller told the board he is on a crusade to try to alleviate the traffic issues in Jim Thorpe.

Last month, Miller approached the Carbon County Commissioners with the suggestion for a pedestrian bridge and blockade that would help pedestrians better navigate from the parking area of Jim Thorpe into the main area of town.

Miller told zoners that Arner’s plan would alleviate a lot of the traffic issues in Jim Thorpe, and that Lehighton would benefit as well.

Attorney Robert Frycklund served as substitute solicitor for the Mahoning Township Zoning Hearing Board.

Attorney Blake Marles represented Arner. Attorney Tom Nanovic, township solicitor, represented the township.

Arner testified that the proposed commercial parking along five lots that border the Flagstaff property would create about 500 parking spots, and that if the gondola were to be approved, there would be additional parking.

“I really hope the gondola goes forward,” said Arner, who added that’s been his goal for over 30 years. “I’d just rather work with Mahoning Township and with you so that we can (accommodate) the cars with traffic and parking.”

Arner said there’s “a very big demand to have vacation homes (in the area). The area is also very short on accommodations.

“I have 25 parties that (have) expressed interest in buying lots. They love the idea of short-term rentals.”

Arner said he has had a discussion with the Philadelphia Orchestra, which he said would be the other proposed use.

Later during his testimony, Arner said he would rather just focus on tourist cabins and short-term rentals, and would be fine with withdrawing his application for camping.

Camping optional

Marles said Arner would still like the parking and short-term rentals, but would withdraw the rest.

“If there was something closer, they would greatly appreciate it,” Arner said. “If we could have them stay, it would benefit every business (in Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Mahoning Township, and all areas).”

For the short-term rentals, Arner was asking for non-conforming use to allow short-term rentals, “Camping and Glamping,” and “Commercial Parking” using True Grid pervious stone parking on existing lots.

He is also requesting special exception use for three parcels beginning at 200 Flagstaff Road, Mahoning Township, and ending at the Mahoning Township and Jim Thorpe Borough municipal boundary lines.

Arner was also challenging the validity of the township’s zoning ordinance with respect to a proposed short-term rental use.

The property was acquired on June 16, 2006, and abuts Flagstaff Road on the South West Side, Route 209 on the north and east side. Private property owners on the South East Side of the property are far removed from the property geographically.

The property has been conditionally approved for residential building lots by Mahoning Township supervisors, and received the recommendation of approval from the planning commission.

The vacant land has been conditionally approved as a residential development.

The abutting property to the Northwest is owned by Flagstaff at Jim Thorpe LLC and was zoning approved for a gondola, hotel and previously approved for a restaurant, catering hall and nightclub. It is currently being renovated.

The property to the east is owned by Perch restaurant.

Bailey Park Properties LLC operates as a multistory multi-unit apartment complex to the southeast of the property.

Neighboring property Duanne Evans and Ronald and Loretta Evans are in support of the property.

Sierra Vista Estates has received conditional approval to connect the Mahoning Municipal Authority’s sewer system.

LTL Consultants, the township’s zoning officer, has denied the applications because commercial parking is not a permitted use in the R-3 zoning district and is only permitted on the same lot as the principal use.

Arner has also planned a residential development in Jim Thorpe. Canyon Rim Estates, Arner’s residential development in Jim Thorpe, has 270 units and was approved for short-term rentals, a winery, a tram and a camping facility.

Arner has asked Mahoning supervisors if they felt there’s any additional room for tram parking in the township and whether they could approve it.

Board Chairman Robert Slaw told Arner that he would have to go before the township’s zoning hearing board.