Jim Thorpe Borough Council narrowly authorized its solicitor Thursday night to draft proposed changes to a zoning amendment that would allow a property owner to install an on-lot septic system for his land near Mauch Chunk Lake.

The borough currently requires all properties within a half-mile of the lake to connect to public sewer, but the amendment would allow on-lot septic systems for properties 5 acres or larger that are at least 1,000 feet, but less than a half-mile, from Mauch Chunk Lake.

Two members of Jim Thorpe’s planning commission, Louis Hall and John McGuire, spoke out against the proposal last week, urging council to keep the buffer and protect its water source.

“I think council would be making a very bad decision by allowing the amendment,” Hall said. “There is enough acreage up there that this could turn into a 45-50 home subdivision. People much rather go to a lake in Pocono Mountains and not a 40- or 50-house subdivision.”

Council voted 4-2 to allow the solicitor to write changes to the zoning ordinance and review a stand-alone ordinance out of York County that calls for stringent regulations and penalties should the half-mile buffer be altered.

“I think we should have another committee meeting to get more feedback,” said Councilwoman Jessica Crowley, who voted no on Thursday’s motion along with Bob Schaninger. “We heard a lot tonight about the detriments of a septic tank and what is deeply concerning to me that there is so much arguing going back and forth on this issue. We are not environmentalists.”

An attorney for property owner Edward Kanick said the closest connection point to public sewer for his Lentz Trail land is about a mile away.

“That would cost Mr. Kanick around $500,000,” Graham Simmons, his attorney, said in May.

Council President Greg Strubinger said he sees the amendment as a way to limit the number of homes in the Mauch Chunk Lake area.

“Mr. Kanick is agreeing to put deed restrictions on which only allow him to build homes on lots of 5 acres or more. He has the right to extend the municipal sewer system up there and that could really increase the amount of homes he puts on there. We’d also be requiring pumping and inspections of the system every three years.”

Hall said pollution was being put into streams and other watercourses several decades ago, likely leading to the half-mile on-lot septic system buffer zone from the lake as more and more developments were popping up locally.

His fellow planning commission member John McGuire also advised against shrinking that buffer zone no matter how many acres the property may be.

“I realize we’re just an advisory committee, but we’re here for what we think is right for the town,” McGuire said. “I don’t know what this is all about but it’s not a good thing for nature.”

Strubinger said council does value the planning commission’s work, though majority for the two sides may have differing opinions on this issue.

The zoning amendment, Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said, would still need to go back before the planning commission after the solicitor drafts the changes before council could take it up for approval.