Time Has Come To Weigh In On Westfield's Master Plan

WESTFIELD, NJ - Westfield has begun the process of revising their master plan and they want residents knee deep in the process. The new plan entitled “Westfield’s Future: Plan it. Live it. Love it.” has begun with an online survey that went live this week.

“We’re thrilled to be at the point in this process where we collect feedback and suggestions from our residents,” said Mayor Shelley Brindle. “As I’ve said before, our Master Plan Reexamination is integral in mapping an exciting next chapter in Westfield’s future, and its final findings should be a reflection of the community at large. I encourage everyone to take the time to make their voices heard in as many forums as possible.”

Master Plan Reexamination

By visiting https://publicinput.com/WestfieldMP, a third party website overseen by the Town’s Master Plan Reexamination contractor, H2M, residents have the opportunity to weigh in on a variety of areas derived from the existing Master Plan – Vision, Commercial/Mixed Use Development, Land Use, Transportation, Downtown Economic Development, Community Facilities, and Historic Preservation. The site also provides an FAQ and timeline of the Reexamination process, as well as links to the existing Master Plan and its most recent reexamination.

The survey can be taken anonymously or by using a sign-in process. It also allows participants to see other compiled responses and choose whether to make their own comments public or private. There is a limit of one complete survey per IP address. The survey will be open through September 3, after which time its results will be presented in two town-wide meetings with H2M to be held in the fall.

A Reexamination Report is a reassessment of a municipality's current Master Plan that is
required by State law every ten years. Westfield’s current Master Plan was adopted in 2002, and was last amended in 2009.

In addition to what is legally required in this process, this Reexamination Report will also include a Downtown area parking assessment. In addition, the Town will host a number of community engagement events where residents, business owners and other stakeholders have the opportunity to participate in the planning process.

These Community Workshops for the public will be held on the following dates:

• Thursday, March 21, 7-9 p.m.: Edison School cafeteria
• Wednesday, April 3, 7-9 p.m.: Town Hall Community Room
• Wednesday, April 24, 7-9 p.m.: Edison School cafeteria
• Monday, April 29, 7-9 p.m.: Town Hall Community Room
• Sunday, May 5: Spring Fling

For more information on the Master Plan Reexamination, please visit
www.westfieldnj.gov/futurewestfield.

Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan

As a parallel effort to the Master Plan Reexamination, an online survey is also currently available for the Town’s Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan at https://publicinput.com/WestfieldParks.

This survey operates much like the Master Plan Reexamination survey, but focuses strictly on the Town’s parks, recreation programs and facilities, open spaces, trails, and fields. A more detailed, mail-in survey will also be sent to a number of households selected at random by the Town’s contractor (Brandstetter Carroll), and two of the Community Workshops for the Master Plan Reexamination will also include a Parks and Recreation component for feedback.

“This is the first time the Town has ever embarked on a comprehensive, strategic view of our parks system and recreational offerings, which is a vitally important effort as we try to preserve open spaces and maximize recreation opportunities for all residents,” added Brindle. “This is the time for folks to give their detailed input and opinions through a thoroughly inclusive process that reaches all stakeholders. Our goal is to produce a plan that is diverse in its appeal –including athletic fields, trails, additional recreational opportunities and open spaces -- through a thoughtful integration of all community needs.”

For more information on the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan, please visit
www.westfieldnj.gov/parksplan.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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