MIDDLESEX TWP — Before township supervisors reviewed seven housing and lot plans Wednesday night, several residents voiced concerns about the effects developments may have on the township's biodiversity.

“The thing that I'm most concerned about is the potential for trading off the economic gain for protection of our ecosystem,” said resident Claire Catt.

Catt suggested supervisors should consider the effects the new developments will have on nature in the township before granting approval. She asked the board to be “innovative” when it comes to balancing development with the environment.

As an example, Catt suggested the board could make sure housing developments have space dedicated to maintaining biodiversity.

“The choices that you are making right now are going to affect my world and my children's world,” Catt said. “I'd like for us to do better.”

Couple Tom and Evalisa McClure told supervisors they supported Catt's stance. Following the meeting, the McClures said they had moved to Middlesex Township five or six years ago to live in a rural setting. “Here it is,” Tom said, “turning into Cranberry (Township).”

“I agree with (Catt's) sentiment,” Evalisa said. “I'm very concerned about all the housing plans going up.”

Supervisor Chairman Michael Spreng said ordinances pertaining to development regulations have been updated recently to help with stable development. One example is a move by township officials to make the lot sizes in housing developments bigger in order to stabilize growth.

Spreng said Middlesex won't be the size of Cranberry Township — in terms of housing developments — anytime soon.

“We will never even come close to that in the next three generations,” Spreng said.

Spreng added that while Cranberry Township does have significant development, it still has many green spaces.

“It's beautiful when you get back in there,” Spreng said.

Supervisor Vice Chairman Donald Marshall said he didn't see how supervisors could prevent land owners from making decisions when it comes to selling their property.

“How do you tell someone that they can't do something on something they've paid taxes on?” Marshall said.

“I think there's two sides,” said Beth Lang, who was seeking approval for a lot consolidation Wednesday night.

Lang suggested township officials contact developers on a case-by-case basis regarding their property development and the potential they have to maintain a natural setting. Lang said she believes developers want to make the land beautiful, too.

“It's not a perfect fix,” Lang said. “Baby steps.”

Spreng said residents who present their concerns when supervisors are preparing to give final approval on developments aren't making good use of their voice. Township officials reminded the public the township planning commission reviews and approves development plans before supervisors vote on them. “You had years to come to these meetings,” Spreng said. “Everything's clean and clear to go on these (plans tonight).”

Catt said the meeting may not have been the best forum to present her concerns about developments, but she'd like to see the issue get more attention from supervisors. Tom McClure said he understood the supervisors take time out of their day to handle issues like those presented Wednesday night. “I appreciate that,” Tom McClure said.

The McClures asked how they could get involved with development and biodiversity management. Spreng told the public the planning commission and supervisors meet several times a month. These meetings are open to the public.

Information about meeting times and dates is available on the township website.