After a brief discussion marked by nodding, quiet agreement, and several references to intuition, the Maple Hollow Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday night to approve a proposed luxury housing development following assurances from the project’s developer that the plan “just feels right.”
The approval came despite lingering questions about traffic, water usage, environmental impact, and the overall suitability of the project for the area—questions that, while raised, were ultimately set aside in favor of what board members described as “a good sense” about the proposal.
“You can run numbers all day,” said Board Chair Elaine Turner. “But sometimes you’ve got to trust your gut.”
The developer, standing at the front of the municipal meeting room beside a large rendering of future homes, nodded appreciatively.
“That’s exactly it,” he said.
A Vision, Presented
The project, known as Meadow Crest Estates, will bring 78 high-end single-family homes to a parcel of land currently consisting of open fields and second-growth woods at the edge of the township.
Developer Kevin Marshall described the homes as “tasteful,” “timeless,” and “exactly what this area is ready for.”
During his presentation, Marshall spoke confidently about curb appeal, lifestyle alignment, and what he called “the natural evolution of the township.”
“It’s not about density,” Marshall said. “It’s about destiny.”
Board members listened attentively.
Questions, Briefly Entertained
Public comment began shortly after the presentation, with several residents raising concerns about increased traffic on the two-lane road leading to the site.
Marshall responded by saying traffic patterns would “adjust organically.”
Another resident asked about water availability, noting that several nearby wells had experienced pressure issues in recent years.
Marshall assured the room that water had been “thought about extensively.”
Pressed for details, he smiled.
“Our engineers are very smart,” he said.
A third resident asked whether the township had considered the impact on local wildlife.
Marshall acknowledged the concern and said animals were “very adaptable.”
The board thanked the residents for their input.
The Decision
After public comment concluded, the board entered deliberation, which lasted approximately seven minutes.
Board member Ron Keller said he appreciated the developer’s passion.
“You can tell he believes in this,” Keller said.
Another member noted that the project seemed “nice.”
Turner returned to the idea of intuition.
“I don’t know how else to explain it,” she said. “It just feels right.”
The motion to approve passed 5–0.
Residents React
Several residents in attendance said they were surprised by how quickly the decision was made.
“I thought there’d be more discussion,” said longtime resident Martha Greene. “They didn’t really address the concerns.”
Another resident said the board seemed relieved to reach a decision.
“It was like once they decided it felt good, everything else stopped mattering,” he said.
Some residents expressed frustration but not shock.
“This is how it always goes,” said one attendee. “They listen, then they approve it anyway.”
Vibes as Policy
Land-use experts say intuition-based decision-making is more common than many municipalities admit.
“Planning decisions often involve subjective judgment,” said Dr. Leonard Briggs, a professor of public policy. “But when that judgment replaces analysis entirely, it becomes problematic.”
Briggs said language like “feels right” often signals an absence of measurable justification.
“It’s difficult to challenge a feeling,” he said. “That’s why it’s useful.”
Asked whether this approach can lead to long-term issues, Briggs said outcomes vary.
“Sometimes projects work out,” he said. “Sometimes communities spend decades dealing with the consequences of something that once felt right.”
A Familiar Developer
Marshall is no stranger to Maple Hollow Township. He has completed two previous developments in nearby areas, both of which were approved under similar circumstances.
In those cases, traffic studies were conducted after construction began.
“When asked about it later, they said they’d monitor the situation,” said one resident familiar with the projects. “They’re still monitoring.”
Marshall said his track record speaks for itself.
“People like living in my developments,” he said. “That’s what matters.”
Luxury Defined
The homes at Meadow Crest Estates are expected to list in the mid-to-high $700,000 range, according to preliminary materials.
Asked whether the development would meet the needs of current township residents, Marshall said the project was aimed at “the next phase of growth.”
“This is about attracting the right kind of people,” he said.
Board members did not ask who those people might be.
Infrastructure, Deferred
Concerns about infrastructure capacity were acknowledged but not resolved.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” said Keller.
Turner agreed.
“There’s no sense worrying about problems that don’t exist yet,” she said.
Several residents noted that the problems already exist.
A Meeting Adjourned
As the meeting wrapped up, board members thanked Marshall for his presentation and residents for their participation.
“Change is hard,” Turner said. “But growth is necessary.”
Residents filed out quietly.
“It feels right for them,” said Greene. “I don’t think it feels right for us.”
Looking Ahead
Construction on Meadow Crest Estates is expected to begin later this summer.
Marshall said he’s excited to get started.
“This is going to be something special,” he said. “I can feel it.”
Editor’s Note
The Maple Hollow Township Board did not cite specific studies or reports in its approval of Meadow Crest Estates. Requests for documentation supporting infrastructure capacity assessments were not answered prior to publication.
