[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6288785,"mediaKeyId","2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8","parentId",2535750,"title","Council amends Grand Junction EDA maps, creates Ambrose allocation area and hears Ambrose bond introduction","audioSeconds",571,"startMs",2551000,"endMs",3122000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8&start=2551&end=3122","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8/thumbnail_2551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6288785/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Council-amends-Grand-Junction-EDA-maps-creates-Ambrose-allocation-area-and-hears-Ambrose-bond-introduction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288785-8ebc7e02af4fd87e5b3def1603a3439a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197287&Signature=V6YdeYpXrhijj25~B7lIZgo9OmGRg9PI7XzazcNROB4xIqi2I1bbocVIYH1aYl8-7o7O8irGYCz0gvGPKL4l1yusdZWq5J-Tjk6aJfUFtI3RH9DkCUczaWTPNRi7nTFlHMAW3YBLrG2yQjm7qwI2feFkKqBLNSDW7VLYrBMr72ExhvP-3DPt5~HRk~bpZ6TwDEeJitpcgfU9eq7XhconZmwQUjxQJPcm0jPwVDen7SBj6GjT2CIiGykdx4-CdsIW4RpOaQoITRHdsRruv~Up4Lvzs1jD-uz-cXKQNSFWx4COZz3TjnyKg010skoB44E4jNegy4vGQUTjByjBy6SZhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Westfield IN","date","2025-03-11T12:52:01.207Z","article","The Westfield City Council adopted Resolution 25-111 to amend the Grand Junction Economic Development Area (EDA), adding select parcels to allow River District licensing and creating a new allocation area for the Ambrose project. The council also heard an introduction of a bond ordinance tied to the Ambrose development; the bond ordinance was presented as an introduction only and no council vote was taken on it.

Janelle Fairman, director of economic development, showed maps that add several properties in the Grand Park and downtown Riverfront areas to the EDA. She said the primary immediate purpose is to allow certain businesses inside the River District to apply for River District alcohol permits, since such permits require the business also be inside an EDA. \"This gives an opportunity for current commercial properties or potential properties, that could become commercial, to apply for these alcohol permits,\" Fairman said.

Fairman said staff removed a small set of parcels north of 170th Street from the version that will go to the RDC confirmatory resolution because they are likely to remain residential rather than commercial. The amendment also creates a new allocation area for the Ambrose project (referred to as Ambers on Main in the presentation) so bonds issued for that project can be tied to that allocation area.

Brad Bingham of Barnes & Thornburg explained a technical change to the EDA's expiration date language. He said current law allows the 25-year TIF allocation period to run from the date the first obligation is incurred (rather than from a fixed date), and the amendment aligns the Grand Junction allocation area with that statutory provision. \"What really we're trying to do now is to amend the expiration date of the Grand Junction allocation area to be what the law says it can be today, which is 25 years from the date the first obligation is incurred,\" Bingham said.

Ambrose project and bond introduction: City staff described Ambrose (Rebar Development's Ambers on Main) as an estimated $26.2 million private investment for an 87-unit multifamily development with about 13,000 square feet of commercial space along State Road 32 and about 245 surface parking spaces. The city plans to purchase right-of-way to build Penn Street adjacent to the project; staff said the developer agreed to a developer-backed bond structure so the city has no direct recourse on the bonds. Janelle Fairman summarized the project: \"Rebar Development has proposed Ambers on Main, an estimated investment for this project of 26,200,000.0. This is at the Northeast corner of E Street and State Road 32. It is an 87 multi family unit apartment development with 2,000 square feet of rooftop amenity.\"

Motion and vote: Councillor Victor McCarty moved approval of Resolution 25-111; Councillor Joe Depner seconded. Roll call recorded six yes votes and one councilor (Chad Huff) absent from the final vote; the clerk noted Huff had left the meeting. The motion carried (recorded as 6-0). The Ambrose bond ordinance (introduction of Ordinance 25-12) was presented for introduction only; no council action was taken on the ordinance at this meeting.

Next steps: The EDA changes will proceed to the Redevelopment Commission confirmatory resolution and related public hearings as required. Staff said further EDA adjustments or allocation-area additions are possible as development and annexations continue in the Grand Junction area.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 03/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Westfield City Council adopted Resolution 25-111 to amend the Grand Junction Economic Development Area, adding parcels to support River District licensing and creating an allocation area for the Ambrose project.","taxTitle","Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana","taxId",54406,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288790,"Council approves Lantern Commons PUD amendment to allow five-story hotel and restaurant, 7-0",226,2284000,2510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8&start=2284&end=2510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8/thumbnail_2284000.jpg","/articles/6288790/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Council-approves-Lantern-Commons-PUD-amendment-to-allow-five-story-hotel-and-restaurant-7-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288790-24474d656e635dd405721e164ad96c73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197287&Signature=FnlS8R3rIMqBgp1j3spHtf4UhUguGCX8FHzVkEIc-fZnIKhVOkrBB1F4RmQLeVTIzo5EiXT79vMJWxE6YOiz-nNBUJiesE5l3jQY-Y2iDRxcW6GTDv6nVfy1hvxFu5hU2Eee8AkUAJ0kC-pSf2t8MxPqFfhN~wzT2YkMPzXXc-KOGYAg39BttMSkMDwyPCwL0p6ct-Iws59suWWPl~04f526wMDHf85Xwt8qlF09ZPa8NfxMKiBzoiFITJxIoUuanFh9SnLOOfu1HGnOh1fIBmmD7VxSmZ0asmTeEj6jDRviXjt7JTnsIHsocF6XPQ29dAznVrPkiiLOto1sJMx3SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westfield City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 25-02 to amend Area D of the Lantern Commons planned unit development, allowing a five-story hotel and an associated restaurant on property at the northeast corner of 31st and 160th Street.

Lauren Gillingham Teague of the Community Development Department presented the amendment and said the change includes modified sign standards and accessory building standards and a waiver of the \"32 overlay\" architectural standards; in lieu of the overlay, the building will be developed in substantial compliance with submitted elevations, concept plan and signage drawings. Gillingham Teague said staff received no public comments on the proposal.

Matt Skelton, attorney for the applicant, said the architectural elevations were refined to address staff comments and confirmed the applicant expects to start construction this fall.

Motion and vote: Councillor Victor McCarty moved adoption; Councillor Chad Huff seconded. The council voted unanimously in favor on roll call.

The change removes the overlay architectural requirement for Area D and replaces it with a requirement that the finished building follow the approved elevations and signage plan. City staff and the applicant said the amendment aims to encourage downtown hotel development while ensuring compatibility with the Lantern Commons design goals.","The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 25-02 to amend Area D of the Lantern Commons PUD to permit a five‑story hotel with an associated restaurant, modify sign and accessory standards and waive certain architectural overlay requirements in exchange for development that follows submitted elevations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288795,"Council approves Finley Creek Estates PUD rezoning, 60-lot single-family community cleared 6-1",895,1373000,2268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8&start=1373&end=2268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8/thumbnail_1373000.jpg","/articles/6288795/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Council-approves-Finley-Creek-Estates-PUD-rezoning-60-lot-single-family-community-cleared-6-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288795-31089bd2dfec060ed7db871f794019f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197287&Signature=lCwb68koxMf3n98WAa3UIiAm-CqWCvRd4qVarAsGE9sQ~QKkosovttxHY64DTW7WcMb9cM3KGW96hJhB90VLxVtoE3uEeyeEYlezGG95xzax5GEevGRo1JHmkNh6YmMH9lgioa22j00nQHQtGW2kpMSgcX0RUuJjTaDEovrp4YAAkd67ZYe0TWUVIEPyC0Tr9QtwGf~FJTE3ZY0omkbCk4J2-zDdi5QKQQG-yAr-OiQjNBuRBSDjyyf1XRFjgeAgGBnqAwwSgB0Bqqhp4u0t1cX7~b9IWuj3gwLkO2XSIGyiNqnljN9YKJaLWxv7WqahI4HcrliZkjS8~qJswyy~yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westfield City Council adopted Ordinance 24-42 on Tuesday to rezone roughly 34 acres for Finley Creek Estates, a single-family planned unit development proposed by Pulte Homes. The ordinance passed 6-1 following a lengthy staff and developer presentation and debate among council members about lot sizes, buffers and potential future road connections.

Weston Rogers of the Community Development Department told the council the site is \"roughly 34 acres in size\" and noted the advisory planning commission gave a unanimous favorable recommendation on March 3. Rex Ramage, representing Pulte Homes, outlined the revised plan: a single cul-de-sac with a stub street connecting east to the Atwater community, 60 lots (reduced from an earlier 86), and perimeter landscape buffers placed in common area to preserve existing tree lines.

Ramage said lots will generally be 70 feet wide; depths vary by location: lots backing to ponds are about 130 feet deep while other lots average about 206 feet. He described homes \"ranging anywhere from 2,800 to 3,300 square feet.\" Ramage and staff said the design intentionally omits community amenities because deep lots are expected to accommodate private outdoor features (pools, patios, outdoor kitchens) on individual parcels.

Opposition from one councilor focused on density and fit with adjacent larger lots. That councilor said the layout \"still does not do it for me\" and argued the plan \"doesn't fit in with anything to the West\" and could reduce neighboring property values. Several councilors said the developer and staff revised the plan substantially during advisory planning commission review and emphasized mitigation measures such as a 40-foot landscape buffer and setbacks to reduce impacts on adjacent properties.

A recurring concern among council members was any future vehicle access to Fremont Moore Road. Councilors noted the current plan avoids a vehicular connection to Fremont Moore Road but expressed concern that future parcel changes could revive that access.

Motion and vote: Councillor Kurt Wanninger moved approval of Ordinance 24-42; Councillor Victor McCarty seconded. Roll call showed six votes in favor and one opposed (Noah Herron). The clerk recorded: Yes — Kurt Wanninger, John Dart, Joe Depner, Chad Huff, Victor McCarty, Patrick Tam; No — Noah Herron. The motion carried 6-1.

Next steps: With the zoning adopted, the petitioner indicated plans to submit primary plat and construction plans this summer and, if schedules hold, begin construction later in the year.","After months of review and changes, the council adopted Ordinance 24-42 to establish the Finley Creek Estates planned unit development (PUD) on roughly 34 acres; the rezoning reduces the proposal from 86 to 60 lots, adds perimeter buffers and common-area protections and passed 6-1 amid objections over density and future road access.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288799,"Westfield council orders forensic payroll review after MPERS flags missed retirement contributions",530,154000,684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8&start=154&end=684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8/thumbnail_154000.jpg","/articles/6288799/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Westfield-council-orders-forensic-payroll-review-after-MPERS-flags-missed-retirement-contributions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288799-122fc3991f8470c285d8559ff92c0425/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197287&Signature=i1tb6e-FxMApcRQ3nGE8H2pxh~0yHtQsNzhxYyU6BXXsNCGE~JCQFmu2rdE0fYFrRZD7mJxV592pyiGEiuP0O4UtUXn1Z2w484cRQUfoX7-l7~Dc5uj2-iSzXeqiztiJEum5O8Z~YIrWpa1opceFe1vqPyz1iElMwwkM0LgmGHOxq2oZxpX7DceVtUSdNt7ZI~ej82~DnXBDDFNUPr0TWy0NWCo1Y3-eBEb47c7723iVoaYRYkboL0vRFk2oNXsum9OZilIKSb3RO89wKZmtTPZz9PoUrG6wA~xBI3viYoJU5VggFzJb24dXsKiC9raVPIDrSBGWlzWhADar8ke9rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westfield City Council on Tuesday discussed a decades-old payroll error after the Municipal Public Employee Retirement System (MPERS) notified the city that retirement contributions were not credited for a firefighter dating to February 2009. Clerk-Treasurer Marla confirmed she made the corrective deposit after MPERS contacted the city, and council members said the administration will commission a forensic payroll audit covering years since Westfield became a city.

City officials said the issue surfaced when the employee reviewed his MPERS account and MPERS contacted the city to verify why contributions were missing. \"I verified within MPERS that the payments hadn't been made and, quite frankly, I'm statutorily obligated to go ahead and make the payment after confirming that. So I did,\" Marla told the council.

Officials said the deposit corrected the immediate shortfall but may not make the employee whole for lost market gains over the last 16 years. Mayor (name on record) told the council the city will \"go back probably while since the time that Westfield became a city, which would be 02/2008. And we're going to do an audit, a very forensic audit.\" He said the administration and the Clerk-Treasurer's office will collaborate on the review.

Councilors debated the scope of the audit and sampling approaches. One councilor urged a statistically significant sample rather than handling each claim individually; another suggested a larger sample if initial findings show multiple errors. City staff said administration staff is vetting firms to perform the work and will return with a recommendation.

Council members emphasized the review is intended to determine whether other employees were affected and, if so, to identify appropriate restitution. No formal vote to fund the audit was recorded; council and the mayor said they would work with the Clerk-Treasurer's office and the administration to select a vendor and determine the audit's scope.

The council also discussed a separate claims item that included a $400 late payment tied to the same period; officials said other items on the claims docket are being reviewed for potential errors. Next steps: administration to present a vendor recommendation and scope options at a future meeting; no formal vote or appropriation was recorded during the discussion.","Council members discussed a decades-old missed retirement contribution identified by MPERS, the Clerk-Treasurer confirmed corrective payment and the administration said it will commission a forensic payroll audit to check for other errors dating to Westfield's incorporation.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":103,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":106,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6288780,"Votes at a glance: claims, minutes, auditor contract and land-use measures approved",724,878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2535750-2c9362dff5d38fe0bd6bb226c361a1d8&start=154&end=878","/articles/6288780/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-claims-minutes-auditor-contract-and-land-use-measures-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6288780-f43fce8ef5c2a239512bd1ce1381c60d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197287&Signature=EHJ177c~eUhoZtOWxui3rh~PnJE-~j0Yo91C0-jxI9j6eKZnNUbgsx4L7ejoq8D7LqA3MFhntV91sLle1xnUJlYIDoRCJCrbf~0tpkdm9R24iKESXlEE7eiePakW1Cu5OU6O6D4bHGJjGmLJLNPrfAUw1MLpiAiuSnsRIuL03xl4pbua~48G3jogsJHd6ZiehEw8XG4ugg2p6qWgpJ-OH3LyCAoAXmLpMPvMCDpnAQjaMEfRUsg0Y6icnuk8snedmEfjH7q6WUVfwca6kNvgMFiuV9eoMznrPEafDeAcyI1PFr2njU5dFb0z8YqWOiVGQBpHt9BcBzzLNuereAM~9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At Tuesday's Westfield City Council meeting the following actions were recorded:

- Claims docket: Motion to approve claims docket was made and passed by roll call (recorded 7-0). The clerk's docket included a $400 claims line tied to a 2009 payroll contribution issue discussed separately.

- Minutes: Motion to approve council minutes (February 24, 2025 meeting) passed by roll call (7-0).

- Auditor contract: The council approved the contract with Forvis (auditor selected by the audit committee). Motion made by Councillor Kurt Wanninger and seconded by Councillor Victor McCarty; roll call recorded unanimous approval (7-0).

- Ordinance 24-42 (Finley Creek Estates PUD): Adopted, motion by Councillor Kurt Wanninger, second by Councillor Victor McCarty; roll call recorded six yes votes and one no (6-1).

- Ordinance 25-02 (Lantern Commons PUD amendment): Adopted unanimously (7-0).

- Resolution 25-111 (Grand Junction EDA): Adopted (6-0; one councilor had departed prior to the final vote). The resolution amends Grand Junction EDA maps and creates an allocation area for the Ambrose project.

The meeting also included introduction of Ordinance 25-12, an economic-development revenue bond ordinance for the Ambrose (Ambers on Main) project; that item was presented for introduction only and received no council vote at the meeting.","Council approved routine claims and minutes and a contract with the city's outside auditor, and recorded final votes on two PUD ordinances and a Grand Junction EDA resolution during the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council amends Grand Junction EDA maps, creates Ambrose allocation area and hears Ambrose bond introduction

Council approves Lantern Commons PUD amendment to allow five-story hotel and restaurant, 7-0

Council approves Finley Creek Estates PUD rezoning, 60-lot single-family community cleared 6-1

Westfield council orders forensic payroll review after MPERS flags missed retirement contributions

Votes at a glance: claims, minutes, auditor contract and land-use measures approved