Middlesex Crossing is a 93-acre development at Routes 8 and 228.

MIDDLESEX TWP — Work has slowed at the Middlesex Crossing development as project leaders address conservation compliance issues.

The 93-acre residential and commercial development at the southeastern corner of Routes 8 and 228 is being conducted under a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System construction permit, which aims to limit the impact of soil erosion.

According to Ian Harrell, Butler County Conservation District manager, a recent site visit to inspect the work found compliance issues with those erosion and sedimentation controls, as well as the construction sequence.

Harrell said all projects are required to have a stormwater discharge plan, which clearly identifies the area that will be included in the work in an effort to limit environmental disturbances outside of the project area. He said the Middlesex Crossing project exceeded the boundary limit listed on the application, leading to a violation.

“They actually had to apply for a modification to that permit,” he said.

The sequence of construction terms also were reportedly violated, which Harrell said is an important part of conservation efforts.

“If you don’t follow the order that things are supposed to be done, it becomes a problem with the potential for erosion to increase, and an increased chance of pollution,” he said.

Harrell added that a catch basin at the corner of Overbrook Road and Route 8 was one of the major issues.

The issues were found after an inspection of the site, which Harrell said typically occurs once in the lifetime of a project, “unless we receive complaints.”

“This one would have been from a complaint,” he added.

After being alerted to the problem, officials said Chris Kaclik, the project developer, worked with the Conservation District to develop and implement a corrective action plan to bring the site back into compliance.

According to a statement from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the site was inspected again Thursday, with officials determining the erosion and sedimentation controls “have been properly implemented.” The statement also indicated Kaclik has submitted an application for modification of the permit to account for the changes in construction.

According to the DEP statement, Kaclik voluntarily corrected the compliance issues. Melanie Williams, DEP spokesman, said she was unaware if work stopped on the project, but said any work stoppage would have been voluntary.

Kaclik was unavailable for comment, with representatives at his office saying he was out of town.

Plans for the project were approved in May 2016 and call for 108 single-family homes and 40 town homes in the southeastern half of the plan, and retail, commercial, a gas station and office space along Route 8 and Overbrook Road.

Earlier this year, Kaclik said the focus would be on preparing the residential units first before seeking potential businesses.

The plan received approval for the first two phases of work, with each of the six phases approved individually. Each phase will be preceded by a public hearing.