CRANBERRY TWP — Despite concessions from the township, some Cranberry residents still are displeased with the proposed Planned Neighborhood ordinance, a revision from the Missing Middle Housing ordinance proposed earlier this year.

The proposal, which was recommended earlier in July by the Planning Advisory Commission and goes to the board of supervisors for consideration July 29, would add an overlay zoning district to the township in specific parcels, which could allow developers to build a denser neighborhood than would be available under ordinary residential zoning.

Dan Santoro, township manager, said despite concerns to the contrary, the proposal does not allow for mixed-use developments.

He added one goal is to attract future residents at a wide range of price points, including younger professionals and families, as well as older empty-nesters.

Some of the differences between the earlier proposal and the township's newest proposal include a difference in housing options, according to Santoro, and reduced the number of properties where it could be chosen as an overlay.

“We've taken off apartments and triplexes, things like that, things that had residents concerned,” he said.

“And it reduces the density from what was previously proposed. That was based on working with the concerned citizens' group,” he added.

But some concerned citizens are still concerned.

Resident Deborah Cooper said she still has reservations regarding the “urgency” to pass the proposal, as well as questions about whether the developments could cause traffic issues not currently considered by the township, and whether Cranberry needs increased housing density.

She described the staff's justification for the proposal as “vacillating.”

“It suggests the township is not properly assessing all the consequences of this kind of zoning, and that it will ultimately force an increase in taxes,” Cooper stated in part in an email.

“The township has an obligation to provide a valid justification, but it has not done so.”