JACKSON TWP — As two new housing developments are under consideration in Jackson Township, current residents expressed concern over potential impact to their properties and the environment at a board of supervisors meeting last week.

Visuals and details for the developments in question, Hartmann Estates and Londonderry Ridge, were presented at the meeting.

Thursday’s meeting included public hearing portion stretching nearly two hours after concerns raised by some residents turned into a discussion between residents, township officials and representatives.

Around two dozen residents were in attendance for the hearings and five residents made a comment.

The township announced the hearing for Hartmann Estates will continue at the board’s Aug. 20 meeting.

As for Londonderry Ridge, the project was previously denied by supervisors in July 2025. At the time, the number of waivers being requested that would significantly impact local infrastructure were cited.

On Thursday, after revisions, the board voted to tentatively approve Londonderry Ridge. The development is awaiting final approval.

Chris Rearick, Jackson Township manager, said both developments are in the early concept phase and months away from breaking ground if approved.

Hartmann Estates, is seeking approval for 56 single-family lots for development on Hartmann Road, south of Seneca School Road and north of Evergreen Mill Road. Kildare Land Partners is behind the project.

The planned development is planned for a 122.97-acre site, which is currently the Hartmann’s Deep Valley Golf Course.

Rocco Magrino, principal regional director of land development at PVEDI Engineering, the firm handling work on the project, presented details and concept renderings.

Magrino requested a tentative approval of the property, with three modifications:

• a request to adjust the minimum yard setback from 25 feet to 10 feet on a certain portion of the development,

• a request to waive the requirement for 100 foot of frontage for community open space

• and a request to waive the requirements for construction of new sidewalks along existing streets.

One of the residents in the area, Madeline Burr, voiced her concerns at the meeting.

Burr said, while she does not inherently oppose Hartmann Estates in particular, she was more troubled by the how the township was proceeding with this and many other developments in the vicinity of “sensitive environmental features.”

Burr particularly expressed concern about environmental impact of the construction work and stormwater management at the property.

“My primary concerns are not for or against this development,” said Burr. 
“They are in looking for the township, perhaps, to consider how are we enforcing and monitoring not only the plans of how (Hartmann Estates) will look when it’s built, but how, when it is being built, will we control the construction runoff (and) the debris?”

In response, Magrino said, “Our project has been developed in accordance with Jackson Township standards, the standards of Butler County Conservation District and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.”

For Londonderry Ridge, Wee Five Development is seeking to construct 108 townhomes and 173 single-family lots on about 119.12 acres along Route 528 and Lindsay Road.

Construction is expected to take place over two phases, according to the developers. 
Phase 1 will include about 144 units, and Phase 2 will include about 137 units, as per current projections.

Township officials voiced some concern about the aesthetics of the back of the planned houses, noting a previously approved development looked attractive at the front, but not the back.

“Are there architectural features that will be on the backside of the structures that would differentiate them, so it’s not just kind of a forgotten afterthought that is visible to the frontage of the street?” asked Anthony Cosgrove, township solicitor.

A representative of Londonderry Ridge said they would consider it once they have preliminary designs.

Two residents, Joseph and Betsy Diana, who live across from the potential development said the developers were not adhering to some stipulations the two sides had previously agreed upon, such as keeping the earth mound under a certain height.

The couple also expressed concern about being unaware, up until the night of the meeting, three-story houses were part of the development and said additional floors for houses across from theirs may infringe upon their privacy.

After the discussion, the two sides reached a tentative compromise and the township closed the hearing.

“I’m actually quite delighted that you were able to engage in sort of a dialogue,” Cosgrove said at the end of the hearing.

The tentative approval was just the first step, Cosgrove said, and there will be a vote on final approval for Londonderry Ridge at a future meeting.