JACKSON TWP — A housing development planned for more than a decade is slated to break ground in May or June, despite protests from Historic Harmony.

The 448-unit development, planned for 46 acres across the Connoquenessing Creek from downtown Harmony, came under criticism on Feb. 10 from John Ruch, the president of Historic Harmony.

Ruch said it is unwise to build near the creek.

"Why in the world should new construction be allowed in the Connoquenessing flood plain while millions of dollars are being spent to buy and vacate flood plain properties damaged in the 2004 flood?" he said.

But developers have taken all the legal measures to build safely on the land, and both Harmony and Jackson have approved the development.

"We have all the necessary approvals … we're pretty excited about the area," said Eric Lamm, one of the developers with TCDR Associates in Cranberry Township.

Creative Real Estate Development Co. of Cranberry Township was originally developing the land, but now a different group of developers owns the land under the TCDR name.

It was during this group change last year that Historic Harmony had a chance to buy the land. The developers were having trouble securing funds, and could have received a tax break for selling the land to Historic Harmony, Ruch said.

Historic Harmony officials said they were interested and began seeking funding from foundations, said Ruch. But when he contacted the developer last month, he found out the 448 units were still coming.

Ruch said it "must certainly be the greatest disappointment in this organization's history."

Lamm said the developers had never heard back from Historic Harmony concerning solid plans to buy the property, so they moved forward. Soon, new developers were found, TCDR was created and there was enough money to build on the property.

"We have no ill feelings toward Historic Harmony," said Lamm.

Ruch said the land is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as part of the first land cleared by the communal Harmony Society in 1804, and as a site probably visited by a young Maj. George Washington in 1753.

Ruch was surprised the land had been sold, given that about half the land was flooded in 2004 after Hurricane Ivan. Ruch said a good name for the housing plan would be "In The Creek Manor."

Harmony Council President Jeff Smith said the developer will spread dirt from a steep hillside on the land to raise the height of the building between 10 and 20 feet. This grading would begin about 50 feet from the creek.

There will be six buildings, each containing multiple units, in Harmony. The remaining buildings will be in Jackson. The 448 units are townhouses and village apartments.

Township Manager Rich Crown said the flooding issue was discussed, but the land susceptible to flooding was in Harmony.