BUTLER TWP — Township commissioners on Monday approved a contract with Olsen Engineering that is the first step toward possibly revising the municipality’s zoning ordinance to make residential development more cost-effective.

The proposal from township zoning officer Jessie Hines to hire the company at a cost not to exceed $2,300 was approved unanimously, with Hines and Commissioner Dave Zarnick saying the township needs to consider revisions to its ordinance to keep pace with municipalities that offer so-called “patio home” developments.

The developments, which group single-family homes into groups of two or four, are often more cost-effective for developers working with odd-shaped parcels or pieces of land containing wetlands and other characteristics that drive up the cost of more traditional neighborhood-style developments.

Hines said he envisions the new rules, which would keep the township’s current rules for residential zones in place And carve out exceptions for the multi-family-style developments in R-1 zones, applying to parcels of land of 20 acres or larger. Several township officials said the changes could help the municipality overcome lagging residential development.

“In 10 years, unless we can do something to spur development and growth, we’re going to run into problems,” said township manager Ed Kirkwood. “Our expenses continue to grow.”

Hines said he anticipates the development of proposed revisions to the township’s residential zoning ordinances to take about three months. After that the proposal would have to be considered by commissioners, and a public meeting would have to be held, before the township could take any action to revise its zoning rules.