Subdividing Christman Field from Franklin Elementary just got one step closer to becoming a reality.

On Tuesday, the Carbon County Planning Commission approved the plans for the subdivision at 1122 Fairyland Road, which call for splitting Franklin Elementary and Christman Field.

Ivan O. Meixell Jr., county planner, said after reviewing the plans, he saw only minor areas of noncompliance with the township’s ordinances and told the commission he recommended plan approval.

The school is owned by the Lehighton Area School District and was shut down when the new elementary center opened this year.

Since then, Franklin Township, which utilized Christman Field for youth sports, has been working to obtain the fields from the school district.

In August, the school district transferred the recreational fields to the township, but the township had to pay to subdivide the land from the school parcel.

The Carbon County Planning Commission’s review now goes to Franklin Township to be included in the consideration of the subdivision.

Other business

In other matters, the planning commission reviewed the following items:

• Jerusalem United Church of Christ Cemetery Association received conditional plan approval for a lot line revision at 545 Church Drive in Towamensing Township. The plans call for combining two lots to create a new plot.

• Nis Hollow Hunting Club received conditional plan approval for a proposed subdivision at 456 W. Bowmans Road, East Penn Township. Plans call for creating three lots.

• Blue Mountain Machine JDY Properties LLC did not receive a recommendation for its proposed subdivision/land development plan at 725 State Road, Franklin Township. Plans call for constructing a 15,000-square-foot light manufacturing building.