As can be seen from the plan of the proposed development, the developer intends to relocate (shift and lift) the historic house and to remove sections of the house and a detached garage that were built at a later date. There is great risk associated with the removal of the house during construction and the relocation of it in a new location after the new building is built. Typically historic houses are not recommended to be moved, especially this house, which is the oldest house in Westfield.

The proposed development of 60 units including 500 sf of retail, below-grade parking, a pool, deck and cabana is a 4-story structure that covers most of the property. The underground parking lot for 96 cars, is a below-grade structure that fills 95% of the site and is going to protrude above grade by approximately 2.5 feet.

This development is out-of-scale with the residential area it is a part of. Typical one and two family homes are 35 foot tall and this structure will be over 50 feet tall with roof top access. The dwelling unit per acre count is 60 and existing zoning in other Westfield districts is 16. In areas with an overlay zone for AFH, the dwelling unit per acre count is 25. This is egregious overreach. Why did the Planning Board and Town Council approve this???

Why did the governing body IGNORE 1200 signatures on a petition and crowded public attendance at the planning board and town council meetings??

Why did the governing body IGNORE the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission and its Historic Preservation Officer and Report and the Historic Preservation Ordinance???

The red outline represents the current location of the historic property including Pearsall-Ferris House dated 1766 and sits on .45 acres of land. The house was moved during the 19th century from Broad Street to its current location and resided in the residential neighborhood for at least 150 years.

The developer has purchased 3 lots, including the historic property, and plans to combine them into one legal deeded property totaling .95 acres.

On November 23, 2021 the town’s planning consultant presented a Redevelopment Plan for these 3 parcels that would enable a 64 unit multi-family residential development with 1,000 SF of retail and restoration and reuse of the historic house.

On December 7, 2021 the Redevelopment Plan was adopted by the Town Council.

On March 8, 2022 the Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted including the Pearsall-Ferris House designation as a Landmark.

On May 24, 2022 the Redevelopment Agreement was adopted by the Town Council.

On August 1, 2022 the Planning Board approved the Site Plan presented by the developer.

On September 7, 2022 the Resolution was formally noticed in the public record.

On October 28, 2022, Westfield Advocates for Responsible Development sued the Planning Board.

On October 27, 2023 the Bench Trial took place in the Union County Courthouse with Judge Lisa Miralles Walsh. The Judge requested post-argument briefs from both parties due November 13, 2023.

On December 14, 2023 the Judge issued her decision. The court ruled in favor of the defendant.

On January 25, 2024, we filed a Notice of Appeal and ordered a transcript of the hearing.

On March 28, 2024, we dismissed the Notice of Appeal.