According to officials, Circleville Farm may transform from unused farmland to a small community as early as this summer.

The 172-acre area located at West College Avenue and Circleville Road is currently zoned as rural agricultural (RA), but Ferguson Township planning director Trisha Lang said it could be re-zoned low-density residential (R-1) by summer.

"We are working on a very ambitious time frame," she said. "I'm confident that we will be able to stick to it."

Lang said plans for the project will be presented to the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors in May, and also have to be approved by county officials through the Centre Regional Planning Agency.

If plans are approved, design and construction of Circleville could begin as early as June, Lang said.

"The property is likely to be developed," she said, "but we want to make sure we have all of the proper zoning codes in place before we begin. We are also working with landowners and contractors to discuss development options."

Board of Supervisors member George Pytel said board members traveled to Lancaster in August to look at sites similar to the one proposed for Circleville to get ideas about options for the local project.

"The board members really took a liking to those sites," he said.

"We think it would fit very well with this project," Pytel added.

To keep local residents informed of the proposed changes, an open house was held Jan. 20.

Lang said about 75 Ferguson Township residents attended the open house and many had a positive reaction.

"It was very well received," she said. "We had a lot of positive reactions, and a number of residents seemed interested in the project and what it could do for the community."

There will most likely be one more open house before members of the Board of Supervisors vote in May, but no definite date has been set, she added.

Residents can also keep up to date on the project by going to the Ferguson Township Web site at www.twp.ferguson.pa.us.

Lang said Circleville would be constructed according to a traditional neighborhood development plan.

The community will have a wide range of housing types, including duplexes and town houses. In addition, it will be geared more toward pedestrians than automobile traffic.

Board of Supervisors member Steve Miller said he agrees with this type of plan and feels it will be best for the community.

"The traditional neighborhood communities stood out to me," he said. "They were different than the type of developments you normally see."

Ferguson Township Planning Commission member Donald Suit said the proposed plan would be more appealing than traditional housing developments.

"Developments such as Copper Beech provide housing, but aren't very attractive," he said.

"The plan we are working on now would require both development and open space, something that would be much more suited to the land," Suit added.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Mascolo said he is currently weighing several factors and has not made up his mind about whether or not he will vote to approve the re-zoning.

"I'm considering whether this area needs more development," he said. "We already have in excess of 2,000 building lots zoned for single family residences."

Pytel said he used to be against change to the area but over time has come to see the need for something to be done.

He said it is important to research the project and choose the best option.

"It's like playing cards," he said. "You want to get the best hand possible, and that's what we're trying to do here."