By Anna Skinner
At the Aug. 10 Westfield City Council meeting, a full crowd and council were present to hear a presentation of an addendum to the Westfield Washington Comprehensive Plan for Grand Junction and the Gateway Sub District by Kevin Todd.
Todd, a senior planner with the city’s economic and community development department, focused on the four corners of the intersection of Ind. 32 and U.S. 31.
Originally, the Grand Junction plan calls for five sub districts, and Todd’s presentation brought attention to the Gateway Sub District, speaking of the lasting impression he wants Westfield to leave on visitors.
“The vision is to develop a signature landmark quality set of buildings at these four corners that demonstrates this is an important and vibrant place to be,” he said. “The design of the buildings will be memorable, leaving a lasting and favorable impression on those who pass them.”
Todd claimed some buildings will be designed tall, as to provide visual appearance from drivers on U.S. 31. He also stated on the Ind. 32 portion of the intersection, the buildings would be built close to the road as to follow the already existing fabric of downtown Westfield.
He said another goal was pedestrian walkways, describing their plan as creating “safe, well-connected, easily maneuverable pedestrian ways.”
Other additions to the four corners of the Gateway Sub District are offices, hotels, multi-family developments, parking lots, public art and mixed-use development buildings.
The presentation was the introduction of the item to the council, which was sent to the advisory plan commission, who will hold a public hearing a send either a favorable or unfavorable recommendation for the addendum at their meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at City Hall, 130 Penn St., Westfield. The city council will then vote on the adoption of the item at their meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 12.
