A developer is looking to build high-end housing in an area along Joyce Street in the village of Hometown, Rush Township.

Plans call for 162 homes ranging from $500,000 to $1.2 million near Kahler Hill, according to Rush Township supervisor Robert Leibensperger.

The proposed homes will be part of a homeowners’ association, which will include a swimming pool and community center for the homeowners. Residents would pay HOA fees, and the association would maintain its own stormwater.

Leibensperger said the property was originally owned by developer Paul Goettner. Schuylkill County property records show that Goettner purchased two Joyce Street properties in 2003. A parcel on the north side contains 7.92 acres, while the south side parcel is 35.9 acres.

Goettner’s plans to develop the properties received approval from Rush Township in 2008, but because of economy at that time, the development never began.

The land was listed for sale about a year ago for around $1.4 million.

Leibensperger said Rush officials heard interest from two potential buyers several months ago. Through “informal discussions,” he said, they learned that one was the developer, who plans to follow the Goettner plans, and the other was a developer who was eyeing a low-income housing development.

A higher-end project, he believes, would better enhance the area.

Leibensperger said a sales agreement was recently signed.

The Schuylkill County Geographic Information Systems Map Viewer website hasn’t yet recorded the sale but the property listing on Realtor.com notes that the sale is “pending.”

He said township officials need to ask questions about what would be needed to continue on development since it is years after 2008, when the initial plans were approved.

He added that it could take some time before the development begins.