MIDDLESEX TWP — Middlesex Township supervisors said they saw no issues with plans for Sienna Village following a public hearing Wednesday night, although they did not take a formal vote to approve them.

Sienna Village is a mixed townhouse/retail development off Route 228 at the Weatherburn Drive intersection.

The property is about 28 square acres and includes 65 housing units. It sits next to the Weatherburn development.

The township planning commission in November voted to recommend the plan for supervisors' approval, pending a few modifications to parking and two additional crosswalks.

Donald Trant, engineer for Trant Corp. and plan representative, detailed the plans for supervisors Wednesday night.

The plan is divided into two parcels because of special wetland considerations on the west side of the development.

“That's why we have it split up,” Trant said.

The plan shows retail buildings running along Route 228, including spots for restaurants. The residential area is slated to sit behind the retail properties toward the Weatherburn development.

Trant noted a signal is expected to be installed at the Weatherburn Drive intersection, which would involve PennDOT approval.

However, the traffic light warrant won't be issued until a percentage of the development is occupied.

“We have to meet (PennDOT) minimums to put up a signal,” Trant said.

A traffic study was conducted last year per the planning process.

Residents Tracey Heyl and Sean Bleibtrey said they're concerned about traffic that the housing development and retail space could generate, especially during the school year.

Trant said the developers are hoping for the light to go in quickly to assist with flow.

“I sympathize with the issue,” Trant said. “It's very specific criteria to meet.”

Retail parking is at least 50 feet away from Route 228, according to Trant.

He said developers are asking for the supervisors to relax loading truck berths because most of the retail properties wouldn't be big enough for concerns, such as tractor-trailer deliveries.

“There is no need for a large loading berth,” Trant said.

Lenny Boyd, who lives along Old Route 8, asked if the development would result in turn lanes specific to the development.

Trant said the placement of additional lanes is being discussed, but ultimately depends on PennDOT's plans.

Boyd said that as a former delivery driver, sometimes small business owners may not know which size truck they're getting a shipment on. Having the extra delivery berth may be necessary.

“Maybe that's something to think about,” Boyd said.

Trant said if plan approval and permits are readily processed, work on the development could begin as early as this summer.

Supervisors did not take a formal vote Wednesday night regarding plan approval. They will revisit the plan during the Feb. 3 supervisors work session.