The developer, J. Brian O'Neill, has proposed building a $450 million to $600 million mixed-use community, called Whitebrooke Hills, where about 4,000 people would live and work.
O'Neill has said that his project suits the township because it would generate less traffic than an office building, and it can help restore the residential balance in the township.
Because of the Great Valley Corporate Center and employers such as Vanguard Group, East Whiteland's daytime population of 22,000 is more than twice the number of its full-time residents.Whitebrooke Hills, which would be built on the former Worthington Steel site, would include about 700 condominiums, retail shopping and offices on the 77-acre tract.
The condos, O'Neill said, will be priced in the "high $200,000s."
Demolition of the steel mill's large blue buildings has been going on since the spring.
Township supervisors said they appreciate the $4 million in road improvements that O'Neill is offering for intersections near the site but are wary of the city-like density the developer wants.
"We have to see if the infrastructure improvements offset the negatives of the density," said P. Joseph Corrigan, supervisors chairman. "I don't know."
Another supervisor, John Mott, said he still had questions about how the development would affect emergency services, principally the volunteer fire department.
"It's out of my hands," Mott said. "There's a lot to be done, but it could be done" by July 14.
O'Neill said Mott would have all of his questions answered by the end of today.
If approved, O'Neill said that he would file land-development plans shortly after the vote.
"They're pretty baked in the oven at this point," he said.
Contact staff writer Benjamin Y. Lowe at 610-701-7615 or blowe@phillynews.com.
