JACKSON TWP — Work could start as soon as this year for new developments in the township.

Developer Don Rodgers of Creative Real Estate Development said he is in the “final stages” of the planning process for apartments and townhouses near the Connoquenessing Creek.

“There will be approximately 110 townhouses and 240 apartments,” he said.

Rodgers said he hopes to begin work on those by this summer.

“I’m trying to get something submitted in the next 30 days, hopefully,” he said.

Land along with creek is planned to be preserved while the apartments and townhouses will be away from the creek.

About 20 to 25 acres along the creek and land that wraps around the developed site up to Wise Road will be donated to the township.

Township manager Chris Rearick previously said the donated land would be used for recreation purposes.

Rodgers also is planning on building 117 single-family homes by Evans Road, “hopefully this year.”

He said the homes are “very similar” to those in Jackson Crossing.

Township police Chief Terry Seilhamer said traffic impact of the developments “may be interesting to see.”

“If we get a lot of traffic near Ridge Road, I’m concerned about the sight line,” Seilhamer said.

Rodgers also is planning retail business developments on about 16 acres by Route 19 and Little Creek Road.

Work will be done on 8 acres on the southeast corner of Little Creek Road and Route 19 and 8 acres on the northwest corner of Little Creek Road and Route 19.

About 150,000 square feet total on both properties will be for retail stores, but potential tenants have not been named.

The township’s board of supervisors received a $3 million state grant for improvements to three intersections. These are Route 19 and Little Creek Road; Little Creek Road and Mercer Road; and Route 19, Fanker Road, Wise Road and Mennonite Lane.

Improvements include a roundabout for Little Creek Road and Mercer Road on the recommendation of PennDOT in a traffic study.

Rodgers previously said he would provide $1.2 million in matching funds, bringing the total cost of the project to $4.2 million.

He said work on road improvements might start in the fall.

Seilhamer previously said the intersection at Little Creek and Mercer Roads is among the most dangerous in the township.

This is because of the intersection’s proximity to the interchange with Interstate 79 and its “deceptive” nature with the curve, he said.

“It has seen a lot more traffic and there is a tremendous number of commercial vehicles that come off there,” Seilhamer said. “That intersection was designed for when traffic was a lot less.”

He also said while the decision for a roundabout is “not his call,” a traffic signal would be preferable for the intersection.

“I’ve talked to several people in the trucking industry, and they’re not big fans of them (roundabouts),” Seilhamer said. “They said some of their trailers tend to bottom out because things are not graded perfectly.”