Jim Thorpe Borough Council and a developer proposing an RV campground atop Flagstaff Mountain both agree that more time is needed to consider the proposed plan.

The developer, Jake Arner, also feels that two council members should not vote on the project because of alleged bias against him.

Council had planned to vote Thursday night whether to approve a land development plan which calls for 275 lots for RV and cabin camping, located on 359 acres.

The plan was submitted by Arner through his development company Canyon Rim Estates.

However, on Thursday afternoon council received a letter from Arner’s lawyer, James F. Kratz, challenging a decision by the borough planning commission which recommended that council reject the plan.

Following a discussion, both sides agreed to a time extension which will give council until Oct. 31 to consider the plans.

In his letter, Kratz said that Councilwoman Joanne Klitsch should recuse herself from voting on any plans Arner submits, because she has a conflict of interest.

Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, Kratz said that Klitsch’s husband was the previous owner of Arner’s property atop Flagstaff.

Arner said the conflict exists because Thomas Klitsch once approached him at the property and said “we screwed you around for 10 years and we’ll screw you around for another 10 years.”

Arner said he took the “we” in that statement to include Joanne Klitsch.

Kratz said Joanne Klitsch has consistently voted against Arner’s plans for his property on Flagstaff. When the planning commission voted to recommend rejection of the plan in May, Joanne Klitsch made the motion, and voted in favor of recommending rejection.

Klitsch said she had no idea what Arner was talking about, and she never had a financial interest in the Flagstaff property.

The council’s attorney, James Nanovic, said that Arner most likely raised the issue so he could potentially use it in a court appeal if council rejects his plan. He asked Klitsch if she felt she could decide impartially, and she said she could.

Kratz also said that Councilman Thomas Highland should recuse himself because he owns property near the proposed campground, and he voted against granting a permit for the project while a member of the Carbon County Conservation District board. Highland said he didn’t recall the vote, but believed he could also vote fairly on the project.