Thorpe shoots down RV development

Plans for a 270-lot RV, cabin and tent development atop Flagstaff Mountain were shot down Thursday night by Jim Thorpe Borough Council.

Jake Arner proposed the project as an accessory to a winery he previously pitched to council for his property.

“Many firms are interested in bringing business to Jim Thorpe, whether it be tents or cabins,” Arner said. “This is a flexible plan because building 270 cabins would take a lot of time and money. I want to help get business in town first, so the plan would be to allow RVs to come in first and then slowly replace them with cabins. That’s the goal. It’s transitional.”

Jim Thorpe’s planning commission recommended rejection of the plans based on their interpretation that camping is not allowed in the R-2 or Special zoning districts and because the size of the development was not consistent with the spirit of the agritourism ordinance.

Council previously passed a zoning ordinance amendment that added language for agritourism businesses and added it as a permitted use in the R-1, R-3 and S zoning districts.

Following that, Arner received approval to sell wine from a farm stand tent on the property.

“I think the planning commission feels the winery is an accessory to the RVs and camping, as opposed to the other way around,” Borough Manager Maureen Sterner told Arner.

Arner said putting up a beautiful vineyard remains his goal, but it costs a lot of money.

“I need to build a crowd so we can build a winery and put in that vineyard,” he told council.

Before the vote, Arner said he’d sign off on an extension until the end of June for the RV and cabin plans, giving council more time to iron out concerns over his project. It would also, he added, buy time to see what direction the economy would head.

“I would like to try to find some ground where something can be changed, but I don’t know that I’m hearing that tonight,” Council President Greg Strubinger said.

Arner first proposed a development in 2005 with 84 lots for much larger homes. However, the economy tanked and Arner said people no longer wanted or could afford homes of that size.

“I think your issue is you need to pick a plan and go with it,” Mayor Mike Sofranko told Arner. “I don’t know what you want to do. I’ll support just about anything, but I can’t keep all your plans straight and I doubt council can either.”

With his plans rejected, Arner said he’d likely file an appeal, which means the matter would end up in court.

“It’s my only choice,” he said. “I don’t like it. It costs a lot of money on both sides. This plan is a winner for Jim Thorpe though. I know it is.”