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

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…