ADAMS TWP — The final approval of the proposed Hickory Glen planned residential development was denied for a second time on Monday night by the township supervisors.

The plan, which would see 50 homes placed on 60 acres on the Simmons farm off Pearce Road, was approved in April in its preliminary version.

But at the May 8 supervisors meeting, final approval was denied after continued complaints from neighbors of the proposed plan.

Weaver Master Builders, the developer of Hickory Glen, requested on Monday night that the supervisors reconsider their denial of the plan.

Brenda Sebring, the attorney for the developer, told the supervisors that because all conditions were met in the preliminary approval, the board must approve the final version.

“That being the case, final approval must be granted under your ordinance and pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Code,” Sebring said.

She stressed that the developer has met all requirements of the township's PRD ordinance.

“Not only is it not legal to deny a final approval on a public interest objection of a few, as supported clearly by case law, it is just not right to deny the final approval based on a public interest objection of a minority of the residents of this township,” Sebring said.

But the supervisors voted unanimously to stick with their previous decision and deny final approval.

While supervisors Tom Franceschina, Linda Lees and Ed Vogel voted to deny the plan on May 8, Russ Ford refused to vote due to lack of information and board Chairman Donald Aiken voted in favor of final approval.

Aiken changed his vote on Monday night and Ford decided to vote against final approval.

The opponents of Hickory Glen disagree with the placement of planned residential developments in the township's rural-agricultural zoning district because they say their density does not blend with neighboring properties and increases traffic on rural roads. They also say the R-A zoning district was meant to remain the rural section of the fast-growing township.