Adams Township may have hit its peak when it comes to new housing developments, according to township manager Gary Peaco.

After about 10 years of steady development, Peaco said permit numbers have been leveling off.

“The period from ... '97 to 2008 was probably the peak of construction in the township,” Peaco said during a board of supervisors meeting Monday.

He said at that time, the township averaged about 210 new dwelling units per year. From 2008 to about 2018, that number dropped to around 160 units per year.

“The last three years, we're averaging about 65 to 70 (units),” Peaco said.

The term “dwelling unit” is applied to both single- and multifamily housing.

Peaco said looking at the township's potential for future housing developments suggests the bulk of new dwelling units are in the past.

He expects this to be consistent, with occasional upticks due to things like apartment buildings.

“The trend looks like it's going downhill,” Peaco said.

There has been a slight increase in new dwelling units for 2020, according to Peaco.

Russell Ford, board of supervisors chairman, recognized the township has residents who are very pro-development and residents who are not.

Ford said while each housing plan comes with its own set of circumstances, it's important to see the positive effects they have on the township.

“It is allowing us to do a lot of things,” Ford said.