BUTLER TWP — On Monday, Butler Township commissioners approved a development request from Weaver Homes, a Mars development company planning to create 84 housing units in a new neighborhood split between Butler and Center townships.

Center Township Supervisors approved the request at the group’s meeting last week. Now that Butler’s commissioners have given their approval, Weaver Homes can begin work on obtaining the correct permits for construction. The Villa at Forest Oaks would have 52 units in Center Township and the remaining 32 in Butler. The roads in the development, however, would be maintained by Center Township.

The commissioners were satisfied with the developer’s proposals, but questioned how police coverage would be managed in the neighborhood.

Center Township does not have a police department and receives coverage from Pennsylvania State Police, but Butler police would patrol and respond to the residents officially within Butler Township.

The commissioners also approved a consolidation of lots on Highfield Trails, which makes the 291 parcels that make up the area into one property. Developer Great Living in September submitted a development plan to Butler Township to then subdivide the 39-acre property into 113 new units. The Butler Township Planning Commission gave its recommendation for council to approve the consolidation, despite opposition from residents who do not want the development to take place.

Commissioners President Dave Zarnick said that while the planning commission had heard arguments against the development, Highfield Trails has not garnered too much controversy since it was proposed.

“There have been a lot more contentious developments than this,” Zarnick said.

The commissioners also approved a final draft of a job description for a township director of emergency services. The person in the position would serve as the chief administrator of the township volunteer fire department, perform the duties of a fire marshal and would work with the township manager to establish goals and objectives for the department.

The approved job description asks for a person with at least 10 years of experience in fire service and at least five years of upper-level public safety management. But Tom Knights, Butler Township manager, said the township has not yet set a rate of pay for the position.

“This is just the final draft of the job description,” Knights said.