Mahoning Township has granted an extension for the Sierra Vista property in Mahoning Township.

Jake Arner, president of Awesome View Properties, Inc., told supervisors on Wednesday that he has a very interested investor who can pay for everything.

But, Supervisor Deb McGowan said she wasn’t interested until Arner could present proof.

“You produce a letter from your investor and I’ll take a look at it,” McGowan said.

Arner noted they have complied with everything except they haven’t put in a letter of credit because they didn’t receive approval for short-term rentals.

“I’m not trying in any way to be controversial,” Arner said. “We had to change the scope of the project to residential.”

Township solicitor Tom Nanovic said he wasn’t sure where the plan stood.

“It’s conditional approval,” Arner said.

Arner added that his proposal would bring in $1 million to the township.

“I’d just rather have a friendly agreement,” he said.

Arner said he just wants to get along with the township and do something positive.

In June, board Chairman Robert Slaw asked Arner if there was anything new on his project, to which Arner said they continue to work on it, and asked the board if there’d be any consideration for an overlay district. Slaw said the township just did its zoning.

Sierra Vista Estates has 104 units on 200 acres of property on Flagstaff Road next to the Flagstaff ballroom and has been approved as a residential development in the township.

Arner said he’s had someone from Brussels say the campsite is the best campsite they ever stayed at.

Arner added that there aren’t enough accommodations in Carbon County, and if tourists would stay, they would spend more money at businesses in places like Jim Thorpe, Mahoning Township, and Lehighton.

But, Slaw said the township has had four developments go bust over the years, and that lots being sold in the township have not been going really well.

Slaw then asked Arner if he would consider abandoning his subdivision and doing something different.

Arner told the board he is willing to work with the township to make things better.

Earlier this year, Arner asked the board to change the zone for his property.

The zoning hearing board denied the request for commercial parking and short-term rentals, an R-3 district, which does not allow commercial parking or short-term rentals.

Arner said, “I’m disappointed that we couldn’t solve the traffic and parking problems that exist in Jim Thorpe and impacts the residents of Carbon County.”

Arner said he wanted to move forward with plans for short-term rentals.

Arner said at that time he has 25 parties that have expressed interest in buying lots, and love the idea of short-term rentals.

He said the proposed commercial parking along five lots that border the Flagstaff property would create about 500 parking spots.

If a proposed gondola were to be approved, there would be additional parking.

Arner said he hoped the gondola would move forward, as that’s been his goal for over 30 years. 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.