The
Journal of the POCONO PLATEAU ©2022, All Rights Reserved
VOLUME 27, NUMBER 7
Mid September, 2022
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Mountain Laurel Golf Club closes in November Owners ask for property to be rezoned commercial by Seth Isenberg
The owners of the Mountain Laurel Golf Club attended East Side Borough’s September 1 council meeting to advance their case to have their property rezoned to Highway Business-B1 from Conservation. Attorney Stephanie Koval of Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, of Allentown, told council the owners want to put the property up for sale, for its “highest and best use.” The restaurant at the golf course will serve its last meals on October 2, then golfing will end on November 11, after which the business will be closed. Koval noted that the owners want to rezone to get the best price for their property. Sisters Maureen Bufalino and Catherine Gower, whose family owns the property,
explained that since their family bought the property 16 years ago, it has been “subsidized by our other businesses…” “(These) last three years have killed us,” said Gower. “It’s time to stop,” added Bufalino. “We want to sell … (to) recoup the money we have put into it.” Thomas Shepstone of Shepstone Management, also speaking for the property owners, explained that with over 52,000 vehicles passing by the property on Interstate 80 each day (on average), there are good business uses for the property, not just as a site for a warehouse. Attorney Koval added that they were applying to rezone their property in Kidder Township as well. The golf club’s clubhouse and pro shop, along with most of See MOUNTAIN LAUREL, page 2
Precision Imagery
Mt. Pocono Council has busy September session by Pat Albano Mount Pocono borough’s September 6 council meeting approved the Shopping Cart ordinance (#6 of 2022), then shifted discussion to new business and approved the following: • Resolution #10 which authorizes an application for LSA grant money for the
Mt. Pocono Memorial Park of $250,000 • Approved hanging a banner over Route 611 for Harvest Fest • Approved registration fees for the keeping of chickens • Sending a letter of support for the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department’s LSA grant application for a license plate
reader program and to purchase a police patrol vehicle. Council also approved the Medico Construction estimate of $3,812 for preventative maintenance on the 2008 Case 621 Wheel Loader, and approved the Borough’s Pension Plan payment for 2023 in the amount of $27, 852.
Five companies are being considered for the floor restoration work in the municipal building. Borough Manager Josh Walker indicated, “I did not get all the responses back,” so Council agreed to table this item pending additional discussion. Council president Don Struckle added, “We need to get the downstairs done, and this
will be discussed at the next work session.” Consideration of Hometown Press to establish a borough newsletter was tabled with Delano adding, “other businesses want to bid on this.” Also tabled was consideration of approving a “Touch a Truck” at the Harvest Fest. See MT. POCONO, page 2