[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6006626,"mediaKeyId","5828268-fb02baa09b8b3310e93e51f0bc4f62f0","parentId",5828268,"title","Westfield council tables new downtown parking ordinance after hours-long debate over fees and enforcement","audioSeconds",2266,"startMs",3127000,"endMs",5393000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5828268-fb02baa09b8b3310e93e51f0bc4f62f0&start=3127&end=5393","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5828268-fb02baa09b8b3310e93e51f0bc4f62f0/thumbnail_3127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6006626/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Westfield-council-tables-new-downtown-parking-ordinance-after-hours-long-debate-over-fees-and-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6006626-d21718d0d85ab23073aa135af2c9a852/orig.mp4?Expires=1775079913&Signature=Q29hMVQKhctiOh7HhCuzSlLYcWEv~7cJ37YV4cEX15hgPt5c0Lvn9zDUvDvfmJTY7UWsF0DoFcvtWt9kIhQyqDNM18SAsSkcTjtwjtFZHna4p66QkZNo28aiSOQhE-jBoocZoqzAb~4io2bNW~OljoUMdyHGJx1cBTrZRc8U8q4uNSX~uPFFiNM0aXfwlAAFuUxTNlykO1CsVnJ~kQWFItG120JzrHoRQMHNpH76nu0IintCRJ0asx3f5iqWLAtIM7eBfxWgyjiSry2ERcbWubJcP5XX2NSsJXUe5kSoVwNrSloK3EcFdMbg~AeAHmodxWUwFaWi3U6umfHxET37eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Westfield, IN","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Westfield Common Council voted 6–1 on Sept. 8 to table a proposed parking ordinance that would set on-street and garage rates, time limits and enforcement procedures for downtown Westfield, including the soon-to-open Union Square parking garage.

Councilors delayed final approval after multiple members and staff said the ordinance’s penalty schedule, appeal process and operational details were inconsistent or unclear. Danielle Carey Tolan, who presented the ordinance text and the parking study that underpins it, said the proposal follows a needs assessment by consultant Denison Parking and aims to “control the parking and making sure that people move about our city more rapidly.”

Why it matters: The ordinance includes the city’s first formal downtown parking rules tied to the new Union Square garage. Councilors and the mayor said the rules are intended to preserve scarce downtown spaces for customers and short-term visitors and to seed a maintenance fund for concrete garages the city will own in the future.

What the council debated
- Time limits and rates. The draft set a 2‑hour free on‑street window, with paid time thereafter, and a 3‑hour free period in the new Union Square parking garage before fees apply. Multiple councilors said 3 hours in the garage may be too short for a dinner-and-shopping visit and urged consideration of 4 hours. Supporters of the 3‑hour garage limit said it promotes turnover and encourages people to park slightly farther away or use surface lots and thereby reserve prime frontline spaces for short visits.

- Enforcement and technology. The ordinance relies on in‑app payment systems (ParkMobile and Honk) and license‑plate cameras in garages. Chris Larson, the city’s director of informatics, described camera systems at garage entrances that “time stamp when a license plate enters and exits and how long it’s been there.” For on‑street spaces without cameras, councilors discussed using Denison’s license‑plate monitoring and mobile enforcement staff.

- Fines, appeals and clarity. Several councilors noted apparent contradictions between fee amounts in different parts of the draft (examples cited included $10, $20, $25 and $35 figures) and unclear language about how appeals are handled and where appeals are decided. Councilor Joe Depner noted the draft’s appeal language and said it should provide a neutral appellate process rather than only internal administrative review. Mayor Scott Willis and others said they would prefer a system that channels parking fee revenue into a dedicated fund for long‑term garage maintenance rather than leaving the cost solely to general taxpayers.

Council action and next steps
- Motion to table: A motion to postpone passage until the ordinance language is clarified passed 6–1. The council asked staff to circulate corrections and to convene a special meeting if necessary so the garage opening is not delayed. Several councilors asked for monthly analytics from Denison so the city can monitor usage, revise time limits and adjust fees after the garage opens.

- Enforcement pledge during rollout: Council members said the city will emphasize an educational rollout for the first month the garage is open; staff and the contractor will provide warnings and user guidance before widespread ticketing begins.

Quotes
- Danielle Carey Tolan, city staff and presenter: “This will help control the parking and making sure that people move about our city more rapidly.”
- Chris Larson, director of informatics: “There are a series of cameras that are being used by this parking system… it can time stamp when a license plate enters and exits and how long it’s been there.”
- Mayor Scott A. Willis: “Every dollar collected in parking fees goes into a fund to start to see that. We are gonna conduct an engineering study of our parking garages as they come online to determine what is the long term maintenance cost… and how should we be saving taxpayer dollars.”

What’s next: The council directed staff to correct inconsistencies in the ordinance language, clarify the fine schedule and appeal process, and return the item for reconsideration at the next regular meeting or a special meeting sooner if the revised text is available. Staff and the consultant will provide analytics to the council during the ordinance’s initial implementation period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 09/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Westfield Common Council voted 6–1 on Sept. 8 to table a proposed parking ordinance that would set on-street and garage rates, time limits and enforcement procedures for downtown Westfield, including the soon-to-open Union Square parking garage.","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},6006616,"What the Westfield Common Council approved Sept. 8 — minutes, annexations, PUDs, bonds and recognitions",2597,98000,2695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5828268-fb02baa09b8b3310e93e51f0bc4f62f0&start=98&end=2695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5828268-fb02baa09b8b3310e93e51f0bc4f62f0/thumbnail_98000.jpg","/articles/6006616/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/What-the-Westfield-Common-Council-approved-Sept-8-minutes-annexations-PUDs-bonds-and-recognitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6006616-c632d49542e65e569ad94b60781dd147/orig.mp4?Expires=1775079913&Signature=RxyEWojhilzD9MWnGfWONrlijK45cyXQmi51-Jh6YWZIIdL0lDA0KisICWLsJXzdjioL2qn5StejuDri7RSVKBObTIBXag2K6KsA6KH~GA7~jnSKcNfHYaUgmhhiuCEGt-VTG2z3OrkZirQukUmucDP5-JOI4VWjwG9jCeBLF2eVBwoZ6UFPSYm-1ITTKb4wRXeMXbLpDlPsIlM4F54V8gR9niM2AhkFfkHVj9qsaEsCu8~TYdquzaj~V5LZ4D4hGmk5vouGSwTJaGZ7AX89l7RsTYTzhIBxccLhx~Sk2H5SMGWqkebE3ltHrU-8vBdps8p7huvn~nkOrH07zPSySQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westfield Common Council took a series of formal actions at its Sept. 8 meeting. Below are the key outcomes, with motions, vote tallies and short notes. Where the transcript recorded movers/seconders and roll calls, those names are recorded.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (Aug. 25 and Aug. 28): Motions to approve carried 7–0 for both sets of minutes. (Motion carries 7–0.)

- Approval of claims docket (dated 09/08/2025): Motion to approve carried 7–0. (Motion carries 7–0.)

- Resolution 25‑126 (fiscal plan for Ordinance 25‑31 — 1303 E. State Road 38 annexation): Motion to approve by Councilor Waniger; seconded; roll call recorded; motion carries 7–0. The resolution accompanies Ordinance 25‑31, a voluntary annexation (about 11.9 acres) that had its first reading and public hearing at the Aug. 25 meeting and was eligible for adoption Sept. 8.

- Ordinance 25‑31 (Ivy Ridge Preserve amendment / 1303 E. State Road 38 annexation): Motion to adopt; vote recorded 7–0; ordinance adopted.

- Ordinance 25‑37 (fee schedule amendment): Motion to adopt passed 7–0. Staff said no objections were received since the August 25 presentation.

- Ordinance 25‑51 (vacation of right‑of‑way at west end of Park Street, adjacent to US‑31): Motion to adopt; public hearing opened and closed at the meeting with no public comment; roll call recorded; ordinance adopted 7–0. The vacation will allow consolidation of parcels for redevelopment by the property owner.

- Ordinance 25‑52 (lease, pledge of certain revenues, bond authorization — bond par amount increased to $35,000,000): Presented by Dustin Meeks of Barnes & Thornburg. The ordinance as presented increased the maximum authorized par amount of bonds and bond anticipation notes to $35,000,000 to account for a slightly larger surveyed parcel. Motion to adopt carried 7–0.

- Ordinance 25‑55 (parking ordinance): After extended debate the council voted to table the ordinance; motion to table passed 6–1.

- Ordinance 25‑39 (190 Ninth Street and Monon PUD): After plan revisions (maximum units reduced to 120 and rental commitments added), the council voted to adopt the PUD; motion carries 7–0.

- Resolution 25‑151 (recognizing the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council as exclusive representative for Westfield Police Department employees): Motion to adopt carried 7–0. The resolution recognizes the outcome of an Aug. 6 vote of sworn officers in favor of the FOP Labor Council.

- Ordinance 25‑53 (Trillium annexation): The council opened and closed the required public hearing at the Sept. 8 meeting; the annexation (about 39.34 acres north of East 190 Ninth Street and west of the Monon) is eligible for adoption at the Sept. 22 meeting.

- Ordinance 25‑56 (creation of Parking Meter Fund #258): Introduced for first reading; staff said the fund will receive parking revenues once the ordinance and fee schedule are finalized.

Formal actions (detailed)
- Approval of minutes — motion to approve August 25 minutes (mover: Councillor Waniger; second: Chad Huff). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Approval of minutes — motion to approve August 28 special meeting minutes (mover: Councillor Waniger; second: Chad Huff). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Approval of claims (dated 09/08/2025) — motion (mover: Councillor Waniger; second: Chad Huff). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Resolution 25‑126 (fiscal plan for Ordinance 25‑31) — motion to approve (mover: Councillor Waniger; second: Councillor McCarty). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Ordinance 25‑31 (annexation, adoption) — motion to adopt (mover: Noah Heron; second: Kurt Waniger). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Ordinance 25‑37 (fee schedule amendment) — motion to adopt (mover: Kurt Waniger; second: Victor McCarty). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Ordinance 25‑51 (vacation of Park Street right‑of‑way) — public hearing held; motion to adopt (mover: Kurt Waniger; second: Victor McCarty). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Ordinance 25‑52 (lease and bond authorization) — motion to adopt (mover: Victor McCarty; second: Noah Heron). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Ordinance 25‑55 (parking ordinance) — motion to adopt initially made and debated; final motion to table (mover: Councillor ???; second: Councillor McCarty). Motion to table passed 6–1.
- Ordinance 25‑39 (190 Ninth and Monon PUD) — motion to adopt (mover: Victor McCarty; second: Noah Heron). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.
- Resolution 25‑151 (FOP recognition) — motion to adopt (mover: Kurt Waniger; second: Victor McCarty). Roll call: motion carries 7–0.

Notes and next steps
- Several items (Trillium annexation, parking fund) were introduced or had hearings and remain on the calendar for adoption consideration at the Sept. 22 meeting.
- The parking ordinance was tabled; staff were asked to correct fee schedules, clarify appeals language and present a clean version for reconsideration so the Union Square garage opening is not delayed.

Sources: Meeting transcript and roll call recorded during the Sept. 8 Westfield Common Council meeting.","At its Sept. 8 meeting the council approved minutes and claims, adopted two annexation‑related ordinances and a PUD, approved bond/lease authority adjustments and recognized the Westfield Police FOP Labor Council. The parking ordinance was tabled pending corrections.",{"_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},6006621,"Westfield officials and consultants say region’s office demand supports downtown mixed‑use and short‑term office development",1057,493000,1550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5828268-fb02baa09b8b3310e93e51f0bc4f62f0&start=493&end=1550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5828268-fb02baa09b8b3310e93e51f0bc4f62f0/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6006621/Westfield/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Westfield-officials-and-consultants-say-regions-office-demand-supports-downtown-mixeduse-and-shortterm-office-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6006621-4fddbacbeecd99644f81a7741baf08df/orig.mp4?Expires=1775079913&Signature=E4s2YRmJll5O5doC9Rue8UarfAkRyNDupPKkwe48Pedyv6pAW74JuztMIxpFGbE2jscWQcTFLEszk~zz58eJfIATkS~3lzWmI-nF2nLTmMkD80cB-YuhTdZ63kYa340bL89IT8h49SChN-8j1jPCzyePi4VGf0PcgZrYDHEk9pBYQJ5LEha02gQDH~8SWATzLLYroGGtsQJ~7IfwXpZ1EhHq7TTqQsHKjIEK9V-EB8DscAgMtP9SatU2OeXaadY3PJC4nsF5LsvvI7g~og~CCsBy71HgiDyCSggTlBPv3z0Vn7WexjkGoY8npDdM2ICbR4Hkr0m5ieI5RATP1FOYvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City economic development staff and consultants from Avison Young presented data Sept. 8 showing robust regional growth and a shortage of modern, mixed‑use office product that could create near‑term opportunities for office development in downtown Westfield.

Janelle Fairman, director of economic development, summarized recent and ongoing projects — including headquarters announcements, land acquisitions around Grand Park, the Ambrose On Main mixed‑use groundbreaking and a new economic development website — and introduced a market study from Avison Young on office demand.

Why it matters: The study links regional population and white‑collar job growth to a shortage of high‑quality office space, particularly newer mixed‑use product where tenants value amenities, private terraces and walkable access to restaurants and services. Consultants told the council that Westfield has a deep labor pool within a 15–20 minute drive and that many office decision‑makers already live in the area.

Key findings and city context
- Regional growth and forward indicators: Avison Young noted that the Indianapolis region is outpacing several other U.S. markets on population growth and white‑collar job posting volume, which the firm views as a forward indicator of office demand.

- Shortage of modern product: The consultants reported that office availability is lowest for buildings constructed since 2010, meaning tenants seeking high‑quality space face tight supply. They said mixed‑use, walkable locations are particularly undersupplied.

- Local opportunity: Avison Young recommended downtown Westfield as the most immediate opportunity for office development because it already has restaurants, coffee shops and other amenities that office tenants prefer; Grand Park and other areas could be prospects later as amenities expand.

Quotes
- Janelle Fairman, director of economic development: “We have a really good opportunity here in Westfield with our very educated residents to really develop [office] right here.”
- Grant Hayes, Avison Young (client data solutions lead): “We view job posting data as a forward‑looking indicator of future economic growth within a market.”
- Anthony Zicola, Avison Young (Central Region office lead): “Tenants want access to amenities — restaurants, roof terraces and private terraces — and they are willing to pay a premium for higher‑quality space.”

Details included in the presentation
- Recent and near‑term projects: Ed Carpenter Racing and Beacon announced headquarters locations; Beacon’s site is in Northpointe, and ECR is planned for the Grand Park District. The city finalized the Grand Park master plan and is working with Keystone Group on development north of 180 Sixth Street. The Ambrose On Main mixed‑use project had a groundbreaking in August.

- Downtown placemaking and marketing: Fairman said the department launched a new website (www.westfieldecdev.com), began a LinkedIn presence and is running programs such as Make My Move to attract remote professionals who can choose where they live.

- Next steps: Staff recommended the council consider strategies to encourage mixed‑use office development in downtown Westfield, and said they will supply the full 67‑slide study to the council on request.

What councilors asked: Multiple councilors requested copies of the full report; the consultants said a longer narrative report and a 67‑slide version exist and would be shared with council.

Bottom line: City staff and consultants presented evidence that regional growth and a shortage of modern mixed‑use office product support targeted efforts to build quality office space in downtown Westfield as a near‑term priority, with Grand Park as a longer‑term possibility.","City staff and Avison Young presented a market study showing strong regional white‑collar job and office demand; consultants recommended downtown Westfield as the near‑term opportunity for high‑quality, mixed‑use office space while Grand Park could be a longer‑term candidate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Westfield council tables new downtown parking ordinance after hours-long debate over fees and enforcement

What the Westfield Common Council approved Sept. 8 — minutes, annexations, PUDs, bonds and recognitions

Westfield officials and consultants say region’s office demand supports downtown mixed‑use and short‑term office development