CRANBERRY TWP - A new upscale townhouse development, the first of its kind in a township's new zoning district, got its final go-ahead from township supervisors Thursday evening.

Georgetown Square will feature 21 multi-family buildings totaling 73 townhouse units along Freedom Road, just east of Cranberry Pointe and to the north of the Cranberry West housing plan.

This townhouse project will be the first development in the RMU residential mixed use district, which allows an increase in the number of units built if the developer meets certain criteria, such as more landscaping, grid-patterned streets and using different types of building materials.

The RMU district is a new zoning concept designed to provide for a more diverse mix of housing type and opportunities.

In residential zoning districts, R-1 permits one dwelling unit per acre, R-2 permits 1.4 units, and R-3 permits multi-family apartments allowing 6.5 units per acre.

The RMU classification was designed to be a planned residential development, but would encourage a mix of development including single-family and multi-family residences, with varied architectural designs that are harmonious with the adjacent zoning districts or existing developments.

Streetscape improvements could also increase densities including increased tree plantings, increasing sidewalks from the required four feet to six feet, using specialty paving materials, installing decorative street lighting, adding meeting areas and installing a landscape street median.

The Georgetown Square property, which was originally zoned R-2, would have been permitted 1.4 dwelling units per acre. With the new RMU zoning, up to 7 units per acre would have been permitted or 76 total units on the 11.63 acres if all ordinance incentives were meet.

Developer Larry Dorsch, who has developed other multi-family properties in the township, will build 73 units. Most of the buildings will be arranged around two blocks and will have a perimeter street surrounding the development. There will also be several inner one-way streets that enter a park featuring two English garden plazas.

The residential units will have an English Tudor-style and include features such as bay windows, decorative stairs leading into the units, gables and decorative porch elements.