A zoning ordinance amendment that would lift off-street parking requirements for commercial businesses in Jim Thorpe Borough's downtown district is headed back to the drawing board.

Council announced Thursday night that the ordinance would be sent back to the borough's planning commission for wording revisions.A public hearing on the ordinance had been scheduled for next Thursday with adoption possible later in the meeting.As it was written heading into Thursday, the ordinance would keep most commercial business owners on Broadway from having to go through a zoning hearing to get a variance from off-street parking requirements, which are impossible to provide in that area of town.Left out, however, were overnight accommodations, as federal law mandates how those businesses must provide parking related to the Americans With Disabilities Act."The intent was for everyone to get relief from the parking restrictions and somehow that got changed, so we need to take another look at it," said Louis Hall, planning commission chairman. "We still want everyone to get that relief."Going through a zoning hearing for a variance costs applicants $600 in Jim Thorpe Borough.While resident Ben Walbert told council Thursday he thought the fee was high compared to other areas, such as Allentown, which charges $400, Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said applicants can apply for a refund of any unused costs."The goal of the borough is just to cover its cost," Sterner said. "It's easier to give someone a refund as opposed to trying to track them down later to pay more."Hall said the planning commission would take a look at how it could keep all new commercial businesses from needing a zoning hearing over off-street parking, while complying with federal regulations, at its next meeting.In other news, council scheduled a special meeting on Dec. 29 to discuss and likely vote on its 2017 budget. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the borough office.