Westfield planners hear hours of public comment on draft comprehensive plan; commission waives workshop to allow vote next week

City of Westfield planning commissioners on Wednesday heard roughly an hour and 40 minutes of public comment on the draft comprehensive plan and moved to waive a workshop requirement so the plan can be formally considered at next week's meeting.

Cynthia Bowen, project lead for Bridal Ernstberger Associates, opened the presentation with an overview of an 18‑month process that she said included "over 58 meetings with 1,285 participants," plus thousands of online visitors. Bowen described a place‑types map of 19 categories — from agrihoods and village neighborhoods to an Innovation District — designed to guide growth over the next 20 years rather than automatically rezone property. "This plan is a guide," Bowen told the commission, adding that staff will finalize a few remaining edits before the commission's recommendation and the council's final adoption.

The public comment period included a series of specific concerns. Jen LaGreca, who said she lives on Old Bridal Lane, asked the commission to remove a proposed extension of Westfield Boulevard from the thoroughfare plan, arguing the road would require cutting a "beautiful line of mature trees" adjacent to residential lots. "We would like that road to come off the thoroughfare plan," LaGreca said, and she submitted a petition to the record.

Several residents expressed broader worries about density and character. Erica Strom, a township board member, questioned the scale and number of apartments, citing current occupancy and architectural standards. Ginny Kelleher, a former planning commissioner, asked for clearer definitions of "agrihood" uses after finding examples in the draft that she said appeared inconsistent with the concept. Megan Arzdan Weisfroat and other landowners raised concerns about preserving farmland, green space and youth sports fields.

Drainage and floodplain data drew repeated attention. Jennifer Smith, who identified herself as a long‑time resident and steering committee member, said floodplain maps relied on older elevation data and warned that upstream development could increase discharges and local hazards. "My property and flooding is a real concern," Smith said, and estimated potential repair costs could exceed $100,000 if new development alters local drainage.

City staff and consultants acknowledged the concerns and said they would review specific neighborhood transportation map calls and drainage questions. Bowen said the plan includes guidance on stormwater and preferred street networks but that site‑specific engineering and regulation would still control actual development practice.

Commissioners then discussed process and timing. Several commissioners praised the public outreach carried out over the past 18 months but recognized that some residents had only recently reviewed the full document. Dr. Keane, a commission member, moved to "waive the requirement of the workshop so this would be voted upon next week"; the motion was seconded by Mister Khan. A roll call vote recorded all present commissioners as "yes," and the motion carried.

The commission noted next steps: staff and consultants will compile the public comments and return with a final recommendation at a meeting scheduled next week; the council is expected to consider final adoption on March 23. The meeting closed with routine reports and adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Sources: On‑the‑record statements to the City of Westfield Plan Commission public hearing on March 11, 2026, including project lead Cynthia Bowen and multiple residents who provided public comment.