13 Properties Designated Historic: Most In Westfield Town History

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield is making positive progress after the Town Council passed its revised Historic Preservation Ordinance in 2020. The town now has a total of 13 total properties designated under this administration – the most in Town history, shared Mayor Shelly Brindle during last week's Council meeting.

"I'm happy to report that we have lots of great things happening on the historic preservation front," said Brindle.

During the April 25 meeting, the Council introduced three ordinances on first reading to historically designate three homes in Stoneleigh Park. Those properties are owned by Marielyce Watner of 3 Stoneleigh Park, Aaron and Donna Keith of 5 Stoneleigh Park, and Donald Furrer and Katherine Spikes of 18 Stoneleigh Park.

When the Town updated the historic preservation ordinance in 2020, some concerns were raised by residents including that the own would begin involuntarily designating private historic homes. Read More: Westfield's Controversial Historic Preservation Ordinance Passes

Brindle said that what the Town has found that the ordinance has had quite the opposite effect.

"When we adopted this ordinance, over some very vocal objections, the Town was making a public statement that this administration, and our community, value historic preservation. In absence of that, why would a homeowner choose to designate their home? To make sure we 'walked the walk,' the Town also designated some of our own properties, such as Triangle Park and the Reeve House," said Brindle. "These important steps were necessary to establish a community culture that prioritizes historic preservation, and tonight’s designations are proof that they’re bearing fruit. Homeowners are now willingly and voluntarily designating their homes, leaving a lasting legacy that will forever preserve these amazing pieces of Westfield’s treasured history."

Additionally during the meeting, the Town also introduced updates to the historic preservation ordinance which reflects input from the State Historic Preservation Office to enable its Historic Preservation Commission to qualify for Certified Local Government status.

Those updates include amending the definition of bay windows, building eave heights and swimming pools.

Additional updates include clarification of the role of the HPC relative to other governing bodies, such as the Town Council and Planning and Zoning Boards, which was not explicit in the original ordinance. This ordinance will be forwarded to the Planning Board for their review and comment, said Brindle.

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