JACKSON TWP — Discussion continued Thursday evening on a planned housing development on Evans Road.

Residents expressed more concerns to the township board of supervisors over Jackson's Ridge, a 115-home residential development proposed by Cranberry Township-based company PPDA, owned by Don Rodgers.

The most frequent concerns Thursday dealt with traffic on Evans Road. A four-way stop is planned at the road's intersection with Youngblood Road, where a new road will be created with the development.

However, residents said motorists speed on Evans Road and that a stop sign will not be effective in controlling traffic and ensuring safety for the development.

“A lot of people don't stop at the signs already,” said resident Cheryl Whitehouse. “There are going to be accidents.”

“It's a steep hill right there,” said resident Dan McAfee. “In winter, it may not be fun to stop and start again. That burden of flow is going to be a problem.”

Another concern residents expressed was the proximity of some of the homes to Evans Road. Eight homes are planned for the second phase of the development and will be built parallel to the road near Youngblood Road. While buffering amenities will be added, including plantings and increased road width, residents said that will not be enough.

“Despite some good accommodations to keep the sight lines more in line with the area, the way they are positioned there are a lot of blind entrances,” said resident Chris Doyle, citing the steep hill on Evans Road near Youngblood Road. “There is a safety risk. I think community members would like to see no houses there.”

All 115 homes will be built on 67.75 acres between Evans Road and Interstate 79 near Yellow Barn Lane and Youngblood Road. Once construction starts on the homes, it will take about two years to complete, said Graham Ferry, project manager and senior engineer for Sheffler & Company.

“We have taken a lot of additional steps to accommodate some of these concerns,” Ferry said. “We're providing additional setback distance than required and the lots were made a little larger.”

The portion of Evans Road by the development is planned to be slightly widened. However, some residents Thursday said the entire road should be widened.

“Most people drive in the middle of the road,” said Youngblood Road resident Alice Doyle. “It's not a very wide road. If you're adding 115 houses, that's a lot of people going down a road that isn't entirely widened.”

A trail system is also planned to be built within the development and connect with trails on Tollgate School Road. The township has requested easements for the public to use the trails within Jackson's Ridge since private properties are between the development and Tollgate School Road.

The trail will also connect to sidewalks planned for Evans Road.

The homes are not expected to impact nearby wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas.

The supervisors on Thursday elected to continue discussion on the development, pending recommendation from the township planning commission and review of concerns from residents.

“We're continuing to work on outstanding issues,” township manager Chris Rearick said.

The planning commission has not yet made a recommendation.