The fields of the Rutz farm on the north side of Walbert Avenue, South Whitehall, will soon undergo transformation into a 249-unit housing development known as the Hills at Winchester.

On the western portion of the tract, 52 acres will become an active adult community for people ages 55 and older.

Included in the plans are 118 single units and 82, two-unit dwellings, clubhouse and restaurant.

The 46-acre eastern parcel will be built as a conventional residential section with 43 single homes.

Each residence will have a double garage.

A 10-acre tract fronting Brickyard Road will be dedicated to the township as open space.

Project Manager Lewis Rauch, from Lehigh Engineering, reported at the South Whitehall commissioners May 6 meeting, the Hills at Winchester would have four access points.

Entrances from Walbert Avenue will be across 40th Street and at the existing Hampton Road.

A third access will be at Penn's Crossing, and an emergency-only, gated entrance is destined for Brickyard Road.

Fire, police and ambulance personnel will have two options, such as a Knox-Box rapid entry system, for unlocking the Brickyard gate in an emergency.

Developer David Jaindl explained a restaurant will be located west of Hampton Road at the present Shoemaker's auto business.

"We will build and own it. It will be something special not a drive-through restaurant. It will not be McDonald's or Burger King.

"This is a great municipality. The restaurant will not have an adverse effect," said Jaindl.

Michael Dougherty, senior project manager of Toll Brothers, the company which is likely to do the actual development, described the common areas of the age-restricted portion.

The two-story clubhouse will have a large gathering room, kitchen, fitness facilities, and an in-ground pool.

A homeowners' association will be responsible for snow removal, lawn care, and maintenance of stormwater facilities, said Dougherty.

Discussion ensued over the matter of sidewalks in the single home portion of the Hills.

Although the planning commission recommended sidewalks on both sides of the street, commissioners hesitated to require them.

David Dunbar, a member of the planning commission, commented on the matter.

"I am in favor of sidewalks on both sides of the road in the single section. Let's make it a first class neighborhood. Let's make it walkable. This is the time to do it. Don't defer," said Dunbar.

Gordon Goldberg, 1499 N. 40th St., agreed.

"I'm at a loss why this board would defer on the issue of sidewalks," Goldberg said.

Board President Christina "Tori" Morgan responded.

"We need more time to look at this. The board is reserving that decision and taking it under advisement," said Morgan.

Commissioners granted unanimous conditional approval to the Hills at Winchester.

William Erdman, serving as township engineer for this project, reported quite a lot of outstanding matters still need to be addressed.

"We are sensitive to residents. We are working through stormwater drainage and traffic issues," said Erdman.

Meanwhile, the project can move forward.

"By the end of the year, we hope to have a shovel in the ground," stated Dougherty.