CENTER TWP — The township supervisors Wednesday night approved the creation of a unique economic resource overlay district on the northern and western sides of North Duffy Road.

The supervisors voted 5-0 to approve the district, which would create a zone that would allow for professional or business offices, data processing facilities, educational institutions and other selected enterprises. The zoning would exclude retail developments and would not affect current residential zoning in the area, according to the ordinance.

The supervisors’ vote came after a hearing last month when dozens of township residents attended a meeting and many expressed opposition to the plan.

On Wednesday, Russell Hearn of East Brewster Road reiterated his concerns before the supervisors voted, saying he was worried the district would allow facilities like a medically assisted addiction treatment center that might be built in Butler Township.

Hearn said he didn’t believe the township wanted such centers, commonly called methadone clinics, and asked the supervisors to table or vote down the overlay ordinance.

“I think you got ahead of it,” Hearn said. “It’s a big deal for those who it negatively affects.”

But the supervisors said that while some residents last month expressed opposition to the plan, a township planning document adopted in 2011 does just the opposite.

“We looked at this with a clean sheet of paper, and we looked at this down the road,” said Supervisor Ken Frenchak, referring to the creation of the comprehensive plan, which was compiled over a two-year span.

Frenchak said “hundreds” of township residents were surveyed as part of the plan, which designates the area selected for the EOD and another area along Route 8 as prime locations for development and expressed support for development in those areas.

Supervisor Ron Flatt said the district was a “prudent fiscal move” for the township to make.

“This development and other development (in the area) is likely to spare our individual taxpayers and spread the tax burden over a more business-minded community,” Flatt said.

And Supervisor Phillip Wulff called it the key to opening up the interchange at Route 356 and Route 422 in Butler Township, something he believes is necessary to help keep traffic from the new VA Butler Healthcare Medical Center off township roads.

“I think the only way that’ll happen is if we do this, and they see some progress there,” Wulff said, referring to the possibility of a state project completing the interchange.

Township engineer Ron Olsen said the township anticipates using nearly $5.3 million in Tax Increment Financing monies from companies that would build in the EOD to finance road and sewer upgrades in that area of the township.

Supervisor Chairman Ed Latuska pushed back against criticisms claiming the supervisors have been secretive and stand to gain financially from the decision. He said he believes the district will benefit the township in the long run.

“This is a unique opportunity for growth and development in our township,” Latuska said. “(It represents) the potential for high-paying jobs and your children and grandchildren to stay in this area and work in the community.”