Seems as if at least one new casino may be coming to the Pocono Mountain area. The next round of license hearings were held in May. There are only three applicants for the two Resort or Class 3 licenses available. The three are Fernwood Resort in Monroe County, The Resort at Split Rock in Carbon County and the Valley Forge Convention Center. The license would allow the successful applicants to have a facility with up to 500 slot machines (as opposed to the up to 5,000 permitted in the other two types of licenses).
At the May hearing held at the Kidder Township Building on the Split Rock application, the gist of the Resort's presentation was to show who and what they are, how they already comply with the stated requirements for such a license and the added revenue it would bring to the area. They also emphasized that the Valley Forge application is a stretch since they do not seem to meet the intent of the legislation (to assist resorts in the state to attract additional overnight stays and promote tourism) since they are not a destination resort like Split Rock or Fernwood. If that is the correct interpretation, it would seem to be a "no-brainer" and the two resorts would get their approvals. However, we all know that obvious interpretation of complicated laws seldom results in the same decision as reached by a court or other legal entity/agency. Even so, the two area resorts have a 2 out of 3 chance to get at least one license awarded here.
Public comment at the hearing was all favorable at the Split Rock hearing although it was not attended by anywhere near the number of people attending and commenting at the Fernwood hearing (which also essentially all favorable) held the day before. Of course, additional comments can still be made and received for the record via an online forum at the State Gaming Commission website.
Get ready for the impacts if the applications go through. This could well mean additional home rental business in the area plus a positive impact on local area stores, restaurants and other businesses. Naturally there could also be some downsides such as added traffic, additional people with the opportunity for additional crime etc. I hope that we are prepared for both of these possibilities and that the added revenues offset the added local government costs to deal with them. Anyone have any thoughts to share here or with the Gaming Commission?
At the top end of this photo is The Resort at Split Rock. The pictures below show that long established four season resort on Lake Harmony. Originaly built and owned by Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co, the Lodge was a vacation get-away for hunting and fishing for their executives but quickly eveolved into a public facility. The first picture below shows the Lodge from the swimming/dock area.
The picture below is a panoramic shot of Lake Harmony from the docks at Split Rock. From this viewpoint you are looking toward the bottom of the photo in the aerial view above.
We are digging up some more old photos of the area and will psot them later.
Lake Harmony was frozen over for most of the winter. This was just prior to starting to thaw. taken at the "spilway" end of the lake (where it "flows" into the Tunhkannock and tobyhanna Creeks Watershed) Ice fishing is a popular sport here when the conditions are right (which is most winters)
Someone hoping for Spring/Summer and th ewarmer weather. Maybe the ice with the fishing then will be with a cold drink rather than fishing through the ice.
The above picture was taken from the southeastern end of the Lake. THe Resort at Split Rock is located at the top of this picture. Lake Harmony, the largets natural lake in the Pocono Mountains of Pa, is a 125 acre spring fed lake which permits power boats(with proper registration, boat tags, identification, and insurance) for area property owners to fish, water ski and enjoy the outdoors. It has been a popular vacationing area since before WWII and has evolved from a fishing/hunting/summers oriented venue into a four seasons resort area with a growing full-time residence population.
Split Rock is located on the NW end of Lake Harmony. The views above were taken from our Split Rock Neighborhood website. They show, clockwise from upper left: The entrance to Split Rock Cpuntry Club, The 11th Fairway on the North Course from the tee box, docks at Split Rock and our pontoon boat at sunset,
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Looking in Kidder, Penn Forest, Tobyhanna, or Tunkannock Townships? You've found the source you need - The Bradley REALTORS(R). We know the area and are involved in Kidder in just about every way
The Bradley REALTORS(R) Team consistes of Thomas (Tom) Bradley and Joyce Bradley. After owning a vacation home in Lake Hamony for 23 years, we moved here full time nine years ago and started selling real estate. Joyce is a retired Philadelphia Elementary School Teacher and has been in Real Estate sales since 1998 concentrating mainly in the Kidder Township portion of Carbon County, PA - but also selling and listing in Monroe and Luzerne Counties. As a REALTOR® Joyce has consistently won sales production awards from Century21 since the office became affiliated with that organization. It was Pocono West Real Estate prior to 2001. Tom is a retired Electrical Engineer and was Director-Advanced Technology for SPD Technologies, owned by L-3 Communications. We work together as a Team to market and sell real estate in this Pocono Mountain resort community. Both of us are active fundraisers for local volunteer organizations like the volunteer fire company and ambulance/rescue squad. Joyce is a Trustee for the Lake Harmony Vol. Fire Co and an active member of the Penn-Kidder Council of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. Tom was elected as a Kidder Township Supervisor, served onits Planning Commssion for over 6 years, and was the first Chairman of the Kidder Township Environmental Advisory Council. In addition to being Township Supervisr, Tom is the Board of Supervisor's Police Chairman and its liaison to the KTEAC. We provide both Seller and Buyer Representation. Tom is a NAR Certified e-PRO(R). We tend to look at life with a long term view. Having been married over forty years now, our views on investment and ownership has a similar perspective. We will do what is needed to get the property sold or to find the one you want to buy. A second home is a discretionary purchase so we know you do not jump at the first thing shown to you unless it is exactly what you want. We know the area from the perspective of a vacationer, a second homeowner, and as a local resident-we have been all of these for at least ten years each. Our active participation in area volunteer organizations, local politics, and land development planning, has given us a vision of what we think the future of Lake Harmony and Carbon County is. That vision shows a growing but manageable area where the best of Pocono Mountain living is available for those who wish to be a part of it. We have traveled around the USA and the world but still look forward to returning to Lake Harmony each time we leave. Sailing the Chesapeake and San Francisco Bays is great but the lazy afternoon on a pontoon boat with friends on the Lake is great time as well. We hate to see people leave but know that is usually the nature of second home ownership-we want to help you divest that property when you find the need. If you are joining the area, welcome, and we would love to find the property you are looking for. Either way, please give us a call!
The Bradley REALTORS(R) Team have a strong love for the resort community of Lake Harmony, Split Rock and Kidder Township in general. They bring a perspective of the area and its recreational ammenites from many vantage points - having been a vacationer at the resorts, campers in the State Park (Hickory Run), second home owners, and finally as local residents. Each of these perspectives are unique and the concerns of one group are often very different from the others. Active participation in local community planning, subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) issues, and environmental concerns combine with these perspectives to provide a real estate service with contacts in all areas of the community. Kidder Township is a growing area with indoor water parks being built, possible casino gambling, a new Towmship Comprehensive Plan is in the works with subsequent SALDO & Zoning Ordinance changes to suit, and The Bradley REALTORS(R) know first hand what is going on. Lake Harmony, a natural spring-fed lake in the Western Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, provides the setting for this community of people who love the outdoor lifestyle and all of the recreational opportunities it offers. Sailing, motor boating, swimming, fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing, tennis, ice skating, and snowmobiling are just some of the activities available right here in Lake Harmony and Kidder Township. Within the area you will find: >Wildlife such as black bear, whitetail deer, eagles, osprey, wild turkey, red fox, and numerous fish species, some in High Quality & Exceptional Value fishing streams >Nearby historic Jim Thorpe, Pa plus easy access to and from major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York City >Shopping at Discount Centers, antique stores, restaurants of all types and price choices, concerts, festivals, spas, resorts, and other diversions. Visit any of our neighborhood websites for more details on events, venues, restaurants, recreational activities, and services in the area. www.lakeharmonyneighborhood.com
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