BUTLER TWP — The group of investors which bought the Deshon Woods property at sheriff's sale earlier this year says they hope to have a plan for the 21-acre parcel by the end of 2016.

Ted Cranmer, who represents Deshon Woods Development LLC, told members of the Butler Township Planning Commission on Tuesday that the group continues to court dozens of possible tenants for the property.

Cranmer said the group, which bought Deshon Woods at auction for $1.2 million in March, had not hired any outside help to market the property to possible tenants, and was instead working on the project themselves.

Cranmer's comments came as the commission voted Tuesday to recommend Deshon Woods, which is located at 370 Evans City Road, be rezoned from its current status, which allows general residential use, to allow general commercial use.

The commission's recommendation is the first step in the township's rezoning process.

Next the municipality will hold a public hearing, scheduled at 7 p.m. Sept. 19, before the township's board of commissioners.

The hearing will allow members of the public, as well as the investors, to present evidence, opinions and testimony regarding the rezoning proposal.