A Jim Thorpe developer has proposed a 1,000-spot parking lot atop Flagstaff Road but needs a zoning amendment or variance to make it happen.

Jake Arner told borough council during a workshop meeting Thursday night he could produce the parking lot at his Canyon Rim Estates residential development within a year and has the investors to back the project. Council would need to amend its zoning ordinance to allow public parking in the “S” zoning district.

“What we’re really talking about is temporary parking until the borough can make plans to deal with traffic and the problems downtown with parking,” Arner said. “Think of it as a safety valve. If we can get zoning approval, we can start the planning process.”

The idea has been discussed at previous council meetings but gained little traction. On Thursday night, Mayor Michael Sofranko cautioned council that the Mauch Chunk Creek watershed, which supplies the west side of town’s drinking water and is under consideration for designation as a high quality stream, is in the same zoning district as Arner’s property. While Arner said his property is not in the watershed and would have no adverse impact on water quality, Sofranko suggested that a zoning change could open the door for a property owner closer to the creek to do a project that could harm it.

“What is developed within that zoned district can contaminate the aquifer,” Sofranko said. “Changing an ordinance that helps protect the quality of our water just to benefit a parking lot does not sit well with me. We can put a parking deck anywhere, but we only have one place to get water.”

To get around that issue, Arner said the borough has the ability to zone various parcels in different ways. Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said that could only be done through a variance, which would be decided by the borough’s zoning hearing board.

“The harder you make this and the more approvals you need, the less likely it is you will ever solve this parking problem,” Arner told council.

As part of his presentation to council, Arner also described a proposed walkway and boardwalk continuing to “The Flagstaff” property. Council is set to host a public hearing next Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. for a zoning amendment that would allow for a Ferris wheel on properties over 10 acres in the R2 district, paving the way for one at The Flagstaff.

“The boardwalk would continue on to The Flagstaff Property and the amusements if they are over there,” Arner said. “I am in favor of the amusements and the Ferris wheel. What I don’t want is to put an amusement on Flagstaff Mountain that will bring 1,000 cars without some room to put them.”

Arner estimated The Flagstaff property could handle up to 340 parking spots.

“When there is no place for those cars to park, they are going to park on the shoulder of Flagstaff Road,” Arner said.

Council gave little other feedback Thursday night to Arner, who said he has a backup plan if there is no interest in the project.

“I am willing to turn these back into residential lots,” he said. “All I have to do is remove some pervious stone and plant grass. But I don’t know why things that are logical we have to fight over. We’ve heard a lot of concerns over parking and there is nowhere to go. It’s not getting better.”