JACKSON TWP — Developments soon may have to either dedicate land for recreation or pay a fee to the township.

The Jackson supervisors Monday morning discussed proposed amendments to an ordinance to add mandatory land dedication for recreation for all land developments, subdivisions and planned residential developments that have three or more dwelling units.

However, a fee can be paid in lieu of land dedication.

Township manager Chris Rearick said the fee, $800 per dwelling unit, is based on land costs coupled with other costs.

“We’ll be able to clarify and justify that number through additional research as the open space plan develops in the next couple of months,” he said.

Rearick said Middlesex Township has an $800 fee while Cranberry Township’s fee is about $1,200.

“The reality is no matter what we do, somebody will come in and change it,” Supervisor Ron Lutz said of the ordinance.

Lutz said Monday morning, “If somebody is moving into the area and is retired, they could probably care a little less about the recreation part. I didn’t know what the reason for the (fee) number was.”

Supervisor Allan Osterwise said the amendments “seem fair.”

A public hearing for the ordinance was set for June 16 by the supervisors.

Rearick said the amendments are beneficial because they will allow the township to begin recreation planning with Zelienople.

“The township has had discussions with Zelienople in terms of shared facilities, greater participation and support of their park as a regional park and the possibility of locating shared facilities within the township that are not available there,” he said.

The township donated $25,000 to the Zelienople Community Park this year as part of its 2016 budget.

In return, township residents had their pool membership rates reduced for Zelienople’s swimming pool.