CRANBERRY TWP — The township supervisors Thursday night approved an ordinance amending some of its rules for planned housing developments.

The changes included adding a list of 12 items that developers must include in their plans. Some of the items were already required, but additions include a requirement for a pavilion or covered structure of at least 400 square feet to serve as a gathering place in developments of at least 50 homes.

The ordinance now also requires stormwater basins to be more appealing by adding trails and viewing areas.

Also included in the ordinance, the township deleted a net calculation method in favor of a gross calculation method for maximum allowed units per acre, which increased the allowed density for some zoning districts.

It also shortened the needed time for approval for smaller developments from six months to three months.

Cranberry resident Tim Stack spoke during the public hearing to express dissatisfaction with the amount of development in the township.

“I’d like to know why we’re still catering to developers, to people that are actually exploiting our community. We’re supposed to be making it better for people that live here now,” he said.

Township manager Jerry Andree commented that development is well managed by the township.

“Make no mistake, our regulations are the strictest in southwest Pennsylvania and communities look to us,” he said.

Continued growth creates financial gain for the township because it brings in money to help maintain infrastructure and keep utility rates reasonable, he said.