BUTLER TWP — The land development plan for a Highland Avenue church’s expansion project was given conditional final approval Tuesday by the township planning commission.

The revised plan addressed numerous issues about stormwater runoff, which is already a problem along Meridian Road, which the church abuts at its intersection with Highland Avenue.

Project engineer Richard Kraft said the plan proposes an underground stormwater management system beneath the expanded 44-space parking lot to trap water until it can be absorbed into the ground. The revised plan also adds a curb around the parking lot to keep runoff from flowing onto Meridian Road. Currently the church’s parking lots are gravel, Kraft said.

The church’s expansion would add 1,258 square feet to the building’s east side and add an enclosed stairwell to the building as well. Pastor Paul Hoover said the expansion comes as part of the church’s long-term plan to expand its sanctuary. Currently that space seats about 160 people, Hoover said. The expansion would increase that to about 275 seats and also add a multipurpose room.

Jessie Hines, the township’s zoning officer, said the revised plan was “significantly cleaned up” from a proposal that was tabled by the commission last month amid concerns about stormwater.

Hoover said it is unclear when the church’s project might begin, but that he hopes to break ground this summer.

In other action, commission Chairman Mark Swift resigned, saying that he plans to move outside of Butler Township.

Swift, who began serving on the commission in 2005 and became chairman in 2011, thanked the other commission members for what he called “a great honor.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every one of you,” Swift said.