The Butler Township planning commission on Tuesday denied a proposed Highfield Trails subdivision plan containing 112 homes, but the developer is appealing that decision and is planning to submit a 100-home proposal to the commission.

The commission approved the Highfield lot consolidation plan that combines a number of lots into one 39.17-acre lot for the proposed residential development, but denied the subdivision plan. Both decisions serve as recommendations that will be forwarded to the township commissioners, who will make the final decision their meting on March 15.

Brad Simmons, representing developer Great Living, said the subdivision plan presented Tuesday contained 112 homes.

Zoning officer Jesse Hines told commission members that the 112-home proposal has 12 more homes than the home density requirements the zoning ordinance allows.

The ordinance requires each lot to measure 15,000 square feet, and a combined 4.6 acres of new streets proposed for the development must be subtracted from the total acreage of the development, Hines said. Those figures calculate into the subdivision having enough space for 100 homes, he said.

“It doesn't comply,” Hines said of the 112-unit proposal.

Solicitor Rebecca Black said she agreed with Hines and recommended the commission deny the subdivision plan.

Great Living filed an appeal of Tuesday's decision before it was made. The appeal is scheduled to be heard by the township zoning hearing board on April 7.

Black said Great Living's appeal argues that existing roads, not the roads proposed as part of the subdivision, should be counted in the density calculation.

“I don't agree with that position,” she said.

The zoning hearing board's decision can be appealed to Common Pleas Court by the township or developer, she added.

In addition, the developer is scheduled to present the 100-home subdivision plan to the planning commission on April 6.

Hines said the first subdivision plan the developer submitted included 113 homes, but the plan on the table Tuesday had 112 homes.

In other business, the commission approved the land development plan for part of the proposed Villas at Forest Oaks residential development that lies in the township. The other part is in Center Township.

Located off Mercer Road, the development includes eight quad buildings, with four condominiums in each building, and a 3,500-square-foot community building and swimming pool on 6.7 acres in Butler Township, as well as 12 quad buildings and two duplexes on 17.4 acres in Center Township.

The roads and stormwater system would be located in Center Township. In a proposed intergovernmental agreement between the municipalities, the roads and stormwater system would be built to Center Township's specifications, and that township would eventually accept ownership of that infrastructure. Center Township would also enforce violations relating to the stormwater system.

The homes in Butler township would border Aubrey's Dubbs Dred Golf Course.

The plan will go before the commissioners for final approval. The developer said construction should begin in July.