Monday
September 25, 2023 
A new development of single-family homes could be coming to Hilltown.
On Monday, the township board of supervisors granted preliminary approval to a proposed development plan that calls for building five homes on an 8-acre property that lies within the 700 block of Minsi Trail near Schwenkmill Road.
Stephen C. Yates of Lynn Builders said a new road, coming in off Minsi, would be constructed, along which the homes would be built.
Yates said the hope is to gain final land development approval from supervisors by the autumn and, weather permitting, potentially begin construction this year.
“It depends on the weather,” Yates said.
He noted that prices for the homes would likely be in the mid $500,000s range. Public water and sewer would serve the community.
Hilltown’s Planning Commission previously reviewed the development plan. The commission recommended that supervisors grant preliminary approval.
Supervisors raised no major objections, though Chairman Jack McIlhinney questioned why the proposed development road wasn’t being lined up with Schwenkmill Road.
Yates said that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wasn’t in favor of such road placement because of sight distance issues. PennDOT has final say.
In other news, Hilltown supervisors passed a resolution that extends the life of the Hilltown Water and Sewer Authority until June 1, 2068. The authority was formed in 1975 with an initial 50-year limit – a term that supervisors could extend.
Given what officials say is the authority’s beneficial work for the community, supervisors passed the resolution extending its life. Supervisor Jim Groff, who is the authority’s manager, abstained to avoid conflict of interest.
