More development is coming to the west side of Westfield.Last month, the Westfield City Council approved the Harmony development, 710 single-family detached dwellings, 270 multi-family dwellings and 170,000 square feet of commercial space in 277 acres on the west side of Ditch Road, between 146th and 156th streets.
On Feb. 12, the council approved the Towne West development, 120 acres of retail space and high-density residential at the northeast corner of 146th Street and Towne Road.
The rural intersection of 146th and Towne sits amid farm fields, but the proposed plan for the area transforms it to a commercial development, which includes a grocery store, medical offices, assisted living facility and a gas station. If a new gas station opens, it will be the only one on 146th Street from the Boone County line to Ind. 37 in Fishers.
The project’s vagueness caused council member Cindy Spoljaric to cast the lone vote against the project.
“There’s too much to get my head around,” she said. “There are not a lot of details.”
Attorney Matt Price said the development was at the point that it needed approvals before it could receive commitments. He said the residential area might include multi-family housing consisting of either apartments, attached senior living garden homes, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing care or office uses. Apartments, which are not age-restricted, will be limited to a maximum of 480 units. Price said a separate residential area would include cottage homes.
Officials said permitted stores in the retail area included: general and medical offices, dental facilities, banks/financial institutions, restaurants, drug stores, gasoline service stations (not more than one stand-alone), grocery stores, a hospital complex or hospital campus, which may include in-patient and out-patient facilities, skilled nursing care, and medical-related research facilities.
Price said no big box stores were proposed or allowed at the site.
“There are a lot of options,” council member Steve Hoover said. “The ordinance does protect the city and neighborhood.”
The proposal is contingent on Hamilton County agreeing to one right-in, right-out off of 146th Street, similar to the Harmony development, which is also on 146th Street and was approved by the city council on Jan. 14.