The Collier Planning Commission has agreed to recommend final planned residential development approval for the first phase of Prestley Heights, a 160-unit townhouse development on 46 acres at the top of Cubbage Hill.

Planners also voted last Thursday to recommend final subdivision approval for the 39-acre Cozza housing plan off Boyds Run Road. Both projects are subject to approval by Collier commissioners.

Prestley Heights will be built in four phases, with the last one comprising 50 units which will extend into Carnegie.

Approval was granted contingent upon the development's providing evidence of preliminary land use approval from Carnegie; a geotechnical report, which has been completed; state Department of Environmental Protection approval; some grading correction; and boundary certification.

Planners wanted certification from the county, but Steven Victor, of Victor/Wetzel Associates, said the county did not have such a document for municipal boundaries, though the surveyor's certification is available.

Also to be resolved is the issue of sewer service for the 50 units. The township provides sewerage only for the Collier portion of the development and does not want to give up 50 permits for Carnegie. Planning Commission solicitor Michael Kaleugher, who also serves as Municipal Authority solicitor, said sewage from the development would flow into the township's oldest lines.

Mr. Victor agreed to routing the 50 units' sewage into Carnegie if that borough does not relinquish 50 permits to Collier. There will be no problem with the existing lines accommodating the additional development, he said.

The Cozza development of a high-end, private, gated, housing plan with a 1,950-foot cul-de-sac has upset planners because, they say, the proposal keeps changing.

"Every time we meet we have something different to look at," commission chairman Robert Schuler complained. He said the commission had codes and regulations that had to be satisfied. Commissioner Kevin Smay agreed.

"There seem to be multiple plans on the table. Pick what you really want to do and we'll work toward it," Mr. Smay said.

Property owner Craig Cozza, who is building his own home on the site, said he wanted a gated development for safety reasons. Mr. Cozza said it was hard to present exact plans because houses might be of varying sizes.

After considerable discussion, the commission voted 3-1 to recommend final subdivision approval, with Mr. Smay dissenting. Commissioner Darlene Restich was absent.

Among the conditions of approval are that the number of lots will not exceed 19, there will be no access to Boyds Run Road, a storm water management plan has to be approved and there will be a single-lane, 20-foot cul de sac.