BUTLER TWP — Despite numerous complaints by residents, a low income townhouse complex is coming to the township.

The township commissioners Monday night approved plans for the $11 million, 50-unit Thompson Greene development on the Ritenour property near North Duffy Road’s intersection with Route 422.

In a statement, township solicitor Larry Lutz warned the crowd of about 80 people that the commissioners’ discretion would be limited.

“This means if the owner of the land meets all requirements of our ordinances, the township has no legal basis to deny the owner the right to use its property,” Lutz said.

The residents took issue with just about all aspects of the proposal as presented by the Woda Group of Ohio.

Woda, a private company, will construct eight buildings encompassing 30 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom townhouses.

Residents, speaking Monday night as well as during a commissioners meeting last month, expressed worries about increased traffic, the loss of property values and water runoff if the project is built.

But mainly they worried that the housing would bring crime and problems to their quiet neighborhood because it is for low income residents.

Woda intends to build the development under a federal low-income tax credit program. Therefore, the housing units would be offered to people who make no more than 60 percent of the area’s median income.

After the vote, the residents spoke about getting together to discuss what they could do now.

“We talked about getting a lawyer,” said resident Arlene Sutton. “We want to keep fighting.”