A Carbon County official who aims to help find the balance between land preservation and economic development is urging municipalities to attend a presentation that will provide more insight into what towns can do for their futures.

On Thursday, Dennis DeMara, chairman of the Carbon Nature and Commerce Committee, addressed the Carbon County Commissioners on an upcoming discussion through the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.

The event, “Conserving Special Places in Carbon County - Part 2,” is at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the first floor conference room at 44 Susquehanna St., Jim Thorpe. This is also the Carbon Council of Governments monthly meeting.

DeMara said that all municipal officials, not just COG members, are invited to the discussion and there was no need to have attended first presentation, which was held in June.

He noted that during the last meeting, the municipalities that attended were surprised with information on what could come into an area, how it could either benefit or ruin an area and what they could do to better manage the fine balance between preserving the land and creating economic opportunities.

He spoke about the “Fabulous Five” - Franklin Township, Lehighton, Mahoning, Jim Thorpe and Summit Hill - that has been taking the initiative to update zoning ordinances to find that balance for their communities.

He cited one video, created by the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, that spoke with Kathy Henderson of CCEDC. In the video, she spoke about the opportunities of re-utilizing existing buildings in a community rather than building new.

DeMara said Weissport has done well with this, pointing out Chantilly’s and the Hofford Mill.

He added that municipalities would only have to update a few of their zoning ordinances and not all of them.

“I encourage all the municipalities to attend,” he said.

Topics that will be discussed include continuing the discussion on zoning codes to achieve the best possible development outcomes in a community; how zoning changes could encourage new development that conserve special features in Carbon County; and enforcing these standards.

Municipal officials who want to attend can RSVP to David Bodnar, director of the office of planning and development by calling 570-325-3671, ext. 3654.

The meeting will also be livestreamed and posted on the Carbon County Commissioners’ Facebook page.