The North Huntingdon planning commission unanimously endorsed plans Monday night for Colonial Estates, a residential community for seniors proposed for the campus of the existing Redstone Highlands senior care facility on Lincoln Way.

Because site plans have yet to be submitted, planners could not recommend approval by township commissioners.

Public hearings will be required before the project can proceed, Planning Director/Engineer Andrew Blenko said.

The conceptual proposal for Colonial Estates was unveiled by John Dickson, Redstone chief executive officer.

"We just wanted to give you an idea of a unique community; Redstone Highlands is planning to accommodate elderly persons 55 and over who are going through the aging process," Mr. Dickson said. "We're selling lifestyle. We're not selling real estate. We welcome your input before we proceed."

Architect Rick Brown outlined plans for a two-phase project and a clubhouse to be built on the 60-acre campus, which currently includes apartment buildings and a personal care facility. He said 38 independent living units in 19 duplex-type villas in the 60-acre campus are planned in the first phase and 22 in the second.

Four basic styles with three variations of each will be offered," he said.

Mr. Dickson said the villas would be owned by Redstone Highlands, a nonprofit entity of the Redstone Presbytery, which operates senior care facilities in Greensburg and Murrysville.

"I feel a community geared to senior living is something North Huntingdon needs," commission Chairman William Chapman said. "The growing seniors population in the Norwin community needs options to consider which can provide a better quality of life without the increasing demands of home ownership."

Planners recommended approval of plans for Phase I of the 198-unit Willow Estates planned residential community on Colonial Manor Road. Township commissioners will consider the plan Feb. 21.

Willow Estates will feature 26.4 acres of open space, about 32 percent of the 88-acre tract. The township requires 15 percent.

"Every lot will have woods," said Mr. Blenko, who said the development "meets or exceeds every requirement of the township building ordinance."

Planners approved plans for the Norwin School District's new maintenance facility, which will be built on a football field near the high school campus.

The board tabled a plan for the proposed 83-unit Westminster Estates subdivision on McKanin Road because board members feel the developer is trying to cram too many houses onto a site with difficult terrain.

"This plan represents everything bad. There is no attempt to integrate the development into the topography. No tree will be left by the time you're done moving earth," Mr. Blenko said.