ADAMS TWP — Noting that plans for Amherst Village Phases 5 through 7 will return to the township for final approval, supervisors approved conditional use for the phases Monday night.

The move follows a May public hearing on the conditional use of the phases and an appearance before the planning commission June 3.

At that time, Phases 5 through 7 included 302 single- and multifamily housing units about a mile north of Route 228.

Allan Beechey, project manager and senior engineer for Sheffler & Co., agreed to the elimination of a cul-de-sac with 23 attached lots Monday before the supervisors.

The elimination stems from a discussion of the “continuity” and connectivity of the plan's village model, according to Beechey. The elimination decreases the overall acreage of the phases from about 158 to 142 acres.

“If it's not developed with the rest of (the phases), we're willing to do that,” Beechey said. “We prefer the 142 version, without the cul-de-sac.”

Beechey said the smaller layout would require fewer environmental permits.

“That piece could be developed on its own,” Beechey said.

Township engineer Ron Olsen verified that Beechey and developer Chris Kaclik agreed to install a buffer around the property and will cover costs associated with improving a connection to Forsythe Road.

Kaclik previously agreed to give the township $250 per lot toward the improvement of Forsythe Road, with construction to be completed by the township.

Before the vote Monday, some township residents voiced their thoughts and concerns on the move.

Resident Tim Stack said Forsythe Road doesn't need to be improved.

“It's about as perfect a road as you can get with a lake, low-traffic, scenic views, shade and farms,” Stack said, adding that he's used Forsythe Road for more than 50 years.

Supervisor Chairman Russell Ford asked residents if they believed Forsythe should be improved at all. Several residents said aside from patching, they're satisfied with the condition of the road.

“I'm just curious,” Ford said. “We've heard a lot of other residents say that Forsythe needs a major upgrade.”

Resident Tina Wilson said she wanted to discuss the “quality of life of the existing residents” that might be affected by the development.

“The noise with the construction vehicles,” Wilson said, “the vibration of the homes and the destruction of the roads are unbelievable.”

Wilson said while she understands the township plans to collect impact fees for road care from the plan's residents, she's worried it will take a long time.

“I'm concerned about the quality of life,” Wilson said.

Stack said government officials are responsible for looking out for the majority of those in their care.

“Locally, this includes the long-term residents of Adams Township,” Stack said, “(who) have been victims of gentrification due to township planning policies.”

Stack said residents living in Amherst Village's existing phases are also susceptible to “the effects of the next phases of Amherst Village.”

Specifically, Stack cited the impact the development might have on the land.

“The odds are ... already stacked against our local environment,” Stack said.

The board approved conditional use for the phases in a 4-1 vote, with supervisor Linda Lees voting against the measure.

After the vote, Ford said supervisors moving forward won't consider plans for approval if a change is made between the planning commission's approval and the supervisors' review.

“This is not the forum or place for us to negotiate,” Ford said. “If there is one tree that is going to get moved or is going to be different ... it's going back to (the) planning commission.”