Triple Crown Corp. last night won preliminary approval from the Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors to build at least 443 houses at the former Stray Winds Farm.
Last July, the supervisors unanimously approved a zoning change allowing construction of at least 443 homes on the former 291-acre farm straddling the border of Lower Paxton and Susquehanna townships. Another 75 homes are planned on an adjacent tract in Susquehanna Twp.
Last night's unanimous vote is the project's second-from-last hurdle, said Mark DiSanto, a partner in Triple Crown.
The remaining step is final plan approval from the Lower Paxton supervisors.
"With that being in position, we could start construction," DiSanto said.
DiSanto said he expected to obtain full board approval and begin building "probably within the next four to six months."
The project is expected to take up to seven years, he said.
Minor sticking points regarding curbs at two intersections made up the bulk of the board's discussions with DiSanto last night, and ironing out minor differences almost ensures approval of the final plan, supervisors Chairman Bill Hawk said.
Hawk said he favored the curbs because they add definition to intersections, but another supervisor, William C. Seeds, said he believed they would interfere with the flow of water.
Triple Crown wants to build single-family homes, entry level town houses and upscale retirement homes. The retirement homes would limit impact on schools and roads, the developers said.
To get community and township approval, Triple Crown promised to address issues outlined by a traffic study. In addition, buffers were created around Paxton Creek and space was provided for a pedestrian and bike path.
Triple Crown worked several months with Stray Winds Area Neighbors, a community group interested in preserving the grounds of the former farm, considered by many neighbors to be a natural community asset.
As a result of the meetings, Triple Crown agreed to reduce the number of homes by three, move the development 70 feet and plant evergreen buffers.
The farm was owned by the late Donald and Dorothy Stabler and was sold at auction for $13.6 million in Oct. 2005.
Donald Stabler, who ran a highway construction company, was well-known locally for philanthropy to schools and medical and religious organizations, as well as supporting the arts and the poor.
Stabler died in December 1997. His wife, Dorothy, died at age 90 in February 2005.
REGGIE SHEFFIELD: 255-8170 or rsheffield@patriot-news.com