MIDDLESEX TWP — Supervisors approved an item Wednesday night that allows a set-aside agreement for the Hawkins Crest development.

As previously reported by the Eagle, Hawkins Crest is a single-family residential development off Harbison Road. It would convert 61 acres of former agricultural land into 50 single-family lots.

The township planning commission granted preliminary approval of the development last December, with final approval taking place in January.

Township supervisors approved the plan in February.

The agreement approved Wednesday night was reviewed by township solicitor Michael Hnath and township engineer Jeff Mikesic.

“The set-aside agreement is just in lieu of a bond,” Hnath said. “It's an account with the bank (the developers) can draw down from.”

The set-aside agreement was approved for $2,999,434. This covers the plan's already approved structural improvements, plus a 10% contingency.

Mikesic said the construction upgrade list was reviewed a few times. Everything looks to be in order, according to Mikesic.

The supervisors simultaneously approved a developer's agreement, which documents the obligations and expectations of the developer. “The developer's agreement lists all the plans, identifies all the numbers,” Hnath said.

Hnath said there were no changes in the agreement from plans that were previously discussed for the development. Adam Hartwig, township manager, said the developers plan to close on a property this week.