JACKSON TWP — Despite concerns from residents, township supervisors voted Thursday night to approve the first phase of a new residential development project on Youngblood Road.

The development by Newman Holdings LLC would consist of 87 single-family homes.

Before the vote, many residents on and near Youngblood Road asked questions and voiced concerns about the development.

Harmony Mayor Cathy Rape sought reassurances that flooding issues wouldn't worsen as a result of this construction.

“Jackson, Zelienople and Harmony have been, hopefully, working together on flooding issues,” Rape said, “and I would just like to be assured that this plan and the excavation and the final plan and landscaping of this project are not going to put any water down toward (Interstate) 79 and the Harmony area.”

Jackson Township Manager Chris Rearick said he is confident that engineers and others working on the project will be able to do so without causing further flooding issues, but he isn't sure what that will look like yet because the plans are not finalized.

Read more about this new development in the Butler Eagle.