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Council approves amendment adding 35 lots to Woods Robinson Briggs PUD over two dissenting votes
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 25‑27 to add 35 single‑family lots to District 4 of the Woods Robinson Briggs PUD; the measure passed 4‑2 after debate over density, green space and appropriateness of residential development along 190 First Street.
The Westfield City Council voted to approve Ordinance 25‑27, amending the Woods Robinson Briggs planned unit development to allow 35 additional single‑family lots in District 4.
Weston Rogers of the Community Development Department told the council the amendment applies to about 11 acres northwest of the 190 First Street and Winter Wheat Lane intersection and would raise the District 4 residential allowance by 35 lots. He said the developer proposes a voluntary commitment that 85% of the units would be owner‑occupied and that any rental leases would have a one‑year minimum term; the covenants would prohibit short‑term rentals.
The petitioner’s representative described on‑site amenities, parking (driveways and garages), provisions for golf‑cart parking near the clubhouse and additional perimeter landscape buffering around a pond requested by council members. He said District 4 currently allows up to 235 lots and that the overall PUD was approved for 410 lots; the developer said 309 homes are currently under construction in the PUD and this amendment requests 35 more lots in District 4.
Council debate focused on density and neighborhood character. One councilmember said the layout looked like "they're packing sardines in" and that there was insufficient green space for families. Another reiterated skepticism about placing residential development along that section of 190 First Street.
The roll call produced four yes votes and two no votes. The minutes recorded the roll call as: Victor McCarty — Yes; Patrick Tam — Yes; Kurt Wanninger — Yes; John Dart — Yes; Joe Depner — No; Noah Herron — No. The motion passed 4‑2.
The ordinance also includes the developer’s voluntary commitments on occupancy and lease length; the petitioner said the homeowner association and a hired management company will enforce covenants and that the developer can explore restricting subleases if the council desires. The amendment was eligible for adoption at the meeting and the council adopted it tonight.
