Westfield council OKs Lantern Commons

"Town Council President Andy Cook, who will become Westfield's first mayor when the town becomes a city Jan. 1, said the comprehensive plan is a matter of interpretation.
"A comprehensive plan is not a zoning plan," Cook said. "It's a suggestion for areas in general.""

Mr. Cook, your inability to understand why you were voted into office is concerning. Past Councilors, such as Dave Mikesell, used similar language to describe his opinion of the community's Master Plan. You committed to upholding the Plan, rather than interpreting it for the benefit of developers, and you have failed. At this point, I have to assume the developers are going to continue to have their way with the development of Westfield and the citizens will be left holding the bag, again.

I will close by saying that I give Dave Mikesell more credit than you for his years on the council. He never handed over $13,900,000 to a developer, and he was honest about his opinion. He didn't pay them to come, and he didn't try to deceive people about it.

Handed over $13.9 million to a developer???? What in the world are you talking about.

Voter wrote:

"Town Council President Andy Cook, who will become Westfield's first mayor when the town becomes a city Jan. 1, said the comprehensive plan is a matter of interpretation.
"A comprehensive plan is not a zoning plan," Cook said. "It's a suggestion for areas in general.""
Mr. Cook, your inability to understand why you were voted into office is concerning. Past Councilors, such as Dave Mikesell, used similar language to describe his opinion of the community's Master Plan. You committed to upholding the Plan, rather than interpreting it for the benefit of developers, and you have failed. At this point, I have to assume the developers are going to continue to have their way with the development of Westfield and the citizens will be left holding the bag, again.
I will close by saying that I give Dave Mikesell more credit than you for his years on the council. He never handed over $13,900,000 to a developer, and he was honest about his opinion. He didn't pay them to come, and he didn't try to deceive people about it.

This is a total disregard for the very attitude and nature of this area. We will no longer see folks moving here for the good life. Home values on our street will plummet because of the ongoing construction, and additional traffic and I for one am so disgusted with the council's decision I could just puke. Farewell to the reasons we moved here and have called it home for 37 years.

I love that Robert Horkay, on the Westfield Town Council. Mr.Horkay, works for Simon realty in their tenant division. This project will compete directly with Simons Clay Terrace right down the street. The tenants at Clay Terrace now have options and leverage with their negotiations with Simon.
Robert Horkay had a direct conflict of interest but did not abstain from the deliberations.
Maybe he will get a fatter holiday bonus from his employer.

What is this 13.9 million? Our new mayor should listen to his citizens when we say NO MORE TO DEVELOPERS who are interested only in profit.

"Town Council President Andy Cook, who will become Westfield's first mayor when the town becomes a city Jan. 1, said the comprehensive plan is a matter of interpretation."

The voice of corruption. He must take lessons from Fishers Faultless.

No, bub, a comprehensive plan is derived directly from public input, through a lengthy public process. It's the peoples' determination of the future of their community. There is NO room for a politician's "interpretation."

What's the discussion about the $13.9 million? Are you referring to the west side sewer interceptor project? If you are, you're wrong.

Hey, you can't make all them happy all the time. Let it go. This is a good place for the shopping center. This shopping center will be much better than the apartments to their north. The people that live there will eventually get a big offer for their land, and then they will be out of there. It's only a matter of time, especially when the state turns 31 into an interstate. Corruption??? Yeah, sure you have some references on that. If you can do a better job, run for mayor in four years.

Crook wrote:

"Town Council President Andy Cook, who will become Westfield's first mayor when the town becomes a city Jan. 1, said the comprehensive plan is a matter of interpretation."
The voice of corruption. He must take lessons from Fishers Faultless.
No, bub, a comprehensive plan is derived directly from public input, through a lengthy public process. It's the peoples' determination of the future of their community. There is NO room for a politician's "interpretation."

"Town Council President Andy Cook, who will become Westfield's first mayor when the town becomes a city Jan. 1, said the comprehensive plan is a matter of interpretation."

Very discouraging...

We have a chance to be a great city, but that can't be achieved with this type of language or actions from our leaders. Mr. Horkey and Mr. Thomas have the right insight; to bad Mr. Thomas will be leaving the council. I applauded you gentleman as you have the guts to follow a well thought out comprehensive plan. Interpretation is always on the table, but it shouldn’t be at this magnitude. Again, Westfield is setting itself up for more turmoil… what’s next? Lookout 161st and Springmill residents?

Trust me. I somewhat know what I'm doing. You are stuck with me for the next four years.

You're an idiot...YOU, not the real Andy Cook. You probably don't even live in Westfield.

Andy C-r-ook wrote:

Trust me. I somewhat know what I'm doing. You are stuck with me for the next four years.

"No more to developers who are interested only in profit" Well DUH!!! If anyone weren't getting paid/getting money, then there wouldn't be any development.

Westfield Citizen wrote:

What is this 13.9 million? Our new mayor should listen to his citizens when we say NO MORE TO DEVELOPERS who are interested only in profit.

Can someone point out specific sections of the comprehensive plan that refer to what can be done with this specific property? I just looked at it. I cannot see where specific uses for this property are discussed.

I understand the concerns of the people in that area. I was not happy when Viking Meadows was converted. But I also understand that I do not own that property. I know it would be expensive, but did the people beside Lantern Commons consider going together and buying all or part of the property in question? If you don't own the property, your input is limited.

Boy, talk to me when you are grown up.
I'll tell you then how this works. Did you know that this developer donated money to my campaign?

another resident wrote:

Can someone point out specific sections of the comprehensive plan that refer to what can be done with this specific property? I just looked at it. I cannot see where specific uses for this property are discussed.
I understand the concerns of the people in that area. I was not happy when Viking Meadows was converted. But I also understand that I do not own that property. I know it would be expensive, but did the people beside Lantern Commons consider going together and buying all or part of the property in question? If you don't own the property, your input is limited.

At $300,000 per acre, it's pretty much untouchable by normal, working class people. You know the ones, the ones government are supposed to be representing.

Read the second paragraph on page 52 of the Plan (page 59 on the PDF version).
Read the forth point under Development Policies on page 52 of the Plan (page 59 on the PDF version).
Read the first statement on page 53 of the Plan (page 60 of the PDF version).
Read the third paragraph of page 49 of the Plan (page 56 of the PDF version).

Here's a link to the Plan:
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1179259...

Westfield Boy wrote:

Handed over $13.9 million to a developer???? What in the world are you talking about.
<quoted text>

When the town borrows money to pay for a developer's development costs, I call that "handing it over". Get your facts and you'll understand.

How about starting with this official document:
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1197923...
If you can read, and read the whole thing, you'll find the $13,900,000 stated in it.

In this one:
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1197935...
Read, starting at page 10, about the Infrastructure. It reads as if the developer is responsible for the costs but, obviously the council wanted to make it sound that way. Taxpayers will foot the Infrastructure for this project.

On page 52 of the Comp Plan (page 59 of the PDF version) it states...
Appropriate Land Uses in Highway Corridors
* Office and service uses
* Research and Development
* Retail and institutional uses that are SUBORDINATE to and supportive of the office and service uses.

Apparently, Mr. Cook and 4 council members believe the Comp Plan is a matter of their interpretation.
Two other council members followed the Comp Plan. Too bad one wasn't re-elected.

poor ethics on council wrote:

<quoted text>
At $300,000 per acre, it's pretty much untouchable by normal, working class people. You know the ones, the ones government are supposed to be representing.
Read the second paragraph on page 52 of the Plan (page 59 on the PDF version).
Read the forth point under Development Policies on page 52 of the Plan (page 59 on the PDF version).
Read the first statement on page 53 of the Plan (page 60 of the PDF version).
Read the third paragraph of page 49 of the Plan (page 56 of the PDF version).
Here's a link to the Plan:
http://www.westfield.in.gov/egov/docs/1179259...

I just read each of these. None of these explicitly rules out this development. Just because opposition calls this a strip mall does not mean that it is. I also don't think the plan is to make 31 a nonstop row of office buildings. The comp plan is a very high level guide. Regional commercial centers are allowed according to page 49.
I am not saying this complex is a great idea - or even that I support it. Personally, I wish there was some way to find a use that would leave that area as natural as possible. But you do not wait until a super-Walmart has tried to go in to wake up and propose solutions.
Horkay and Thomas vote no on everything and bring no alternatives and solutions. That is very easy and far from noble.
I am sure you will accuse me of being in government. I am not. But, the condescending attacks on anyone who raises questions are appreciated!

http://www.pinetreecommercial.com/properties/...
In my opinion, this is a strip mall.

another resident wrote:

<quoted text>
I just read each of these. None of these explicitly rules out this development. Just because opposition calls this a strip mall does not mean that it is. I also don't think the plan is to make 31 a nonstop row of office buildings. The comp plan is a very high level guide. Regional commercial centers are allowed according to page 49.
I am not saying this complex is a great idea - or even that I support it. Personally, I wish there was some way to find a use that would leave that area as natural as possible. But you do not wait until a super-Walmart has tried to go in to wake up and propose solutions.
Horkay and Thomas vote no on everything and bring no alternatives and solutions. That is very easy and far from noble.
I am sure you will accuse me of being in government. I am not. But, the condescending attacks on anyone who raises questions are appreciated!

I'll jump back in since I started this. To address your comment.

Page 52 quote;

"The Meridian Corridor is prehaps the most important. Along this corridor, attractive office and institutional uses have been established south of Westfield, and similar uses of a similar character should be continued as the corridor develops"
Where does this mention retail / strip malls? I read OFFICE and INSTITUTIONAL uses.

Again page 52;

"Promote large-scale employment-intensive office uses on the US 31-Meridian Corridor."
Where does this mention retail / strip malls? I read OFFICE uses.

Page 53 quote;

"Permit retail or residential developemnt only in designated village or downtown locations on US 31..."
It seems like the writers were trying to be more positive and tell what's appropriate rather than what is denied. Though the word ONLY pretty much denies this project.

Now, if I remember correctly, the past councils have always approved projects with a comment about needing rooftops so businesses would come. Well, if that was correct, why is Westfield having to pay to get retail businesses? Sounds as though the past councils and the current one panders to developers and makes sure they're well taken care of financially.
And the Wal-Mart comment. If Wal-Mart, or any developer, thought this was a financially feasible location under the conditions it was under, why didn't they jump anytime in the past 8 years? The zoning was in place. All they had to do was build the building(s).

Furthermore, Thomas and Horkay stated that Eagle Station, which is already approved, would be a great location for this retail since it's located in the appropriate location per the Comp Plan. They also said that to give in on the first project was a test and Westfield shouldn't fail it because it will bring more proposals that are not in-line with the Plan.
I understand this to mean there will be more retail coming forward soon if this was approved. Possibly in neighborhood areas.

And, since you're so anti-Thomas and Horkay, have you ever tried to call them and ask why they voted "no" on anything? Have you ever written them about this? Have you ever taken a public position on anything where your name was disclosed and open to ridicule?
I have and I appreciate people like these two who are willing to say "no" even though it's not the popular thing to do. I've always thought they represented the people's opinion better than anyone Westfield has ever had. But, I'm sure, you being the outspoken, civic-minded person you are, you've stood up hundreds of times even though you would be the only one or two in the crowd (for or against an issue).
Fianlly, please give us some examples of when you stepped forward, dosclosed your name and opinion, when you knew you'd be in a vast minority. Honor us.