The Westfield Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously Oct. 1 to authorize up to $302,820 in park impact-fee credits to Old Town Companies LLC for construction of a public plaza that will connect State Road 32 through the Union Square development to Grand Junction Plaza, with the approval conditioned on a negotiated perpetual public-access easement and an accompanying maintenance agreement.

The credit is part of a park impact fee credit agreement that applies to work in the city's zone improvement plan. Parks staff said Old Town will construct the plaza, add sidewalks, seating and landscaping, and has promised to grant a perpetual public-access easement and to take responsibility for maintenance; the easement and maintenance terms must be finalized and approved by the board for the credit to take effect.

Parks Director Chris provided the overview of the agreement and the board discussed the appropriate use of impact-fee credits versus spending impact-fee funds on undeveloped park properties. Two members of the public spoke during public comment: Bill Greer urged the city to set aside 3 to 4 acres of a recently acquired 22-acre parcel for an off-leash dog park, and Donna Van Huis, representing the Westfield Pickleball Association, formally thanked staff for recent Quaker Park pickleball court repairs and urged continued public investment in free, publicly accessible pickleball courts. Parks staff and a board member noted both dog and pickleball facilities are eligible uses of park impact fees.

Terry called the roll after the motion and recorded a unanimous vote in favor: Mike Antrim, Curtis Baumgartner, Mike Hall, Julia Grimmer and Leanne Sintz all voted yes. Board members added that if Old Town cannot deliver an acceptable easement and maintenance agreement, the credit agreement would be null and void and would return to the board for acceptance.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve agenda as prepared: approved (unanimous).
- Motion to approve minutes from 09/03/2025: approved (unanimous).
- Motion to authorize director to enter park impact-fee credit agreement (credit not to exceed $302,820) to Old Town Companies LLC, contingent on negotiated perpetual public-access easement and perpetual maintenance agreement: approved (5-0; Mike Antrim, Curtis Baumgartner, Mike Hall, Julia Grimmer, Leanne Sintz voted yes).
- Resolution 25-1-47 recommending amendments to Chapter 93 (Parks and Recreation) to align with the city's golf cart ordinance: approved (5-0).
- Motion to adjourn: approved (unanimous).

The board directed staff to return the final easement and maintenance documents to the board for formal acceptance before any credit is applied. The park impact fee credit and the resolution will also proceed through other city processes as appropriate.