Dan Allie
WESTFIELD– At-large Councilor Dan Allie introduced a motion to amend zone change procedure and notification of property owners at Thursday’s City Council meeting.
The proposed ordinance change would require that all abutters, residents, taxpayers and property owners within 500 feet from the border of a property directly affected by a zone change be notified by the City Clerk by certified mail no less than fourteen days before a public hearing is held.
“I realize that not everyone reads the newspaper everyday, has the time to watch Council meetings or continually check the city website,” Allie said about the motion. “It is important that everyone who might be affected by a zone change be notified, have the opportunity to attend a public hearing and make his or her voice heard.”
Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski spoke in favor of the motion, saying that it would be a positive change for abutters.
“This is going to be fairer to residents, businesses who are abutters, and to the businesses themselves,” Babinski. She said this needs to be done in order for all residents to be aware of zone changes, and encouraged all of the councilors to vote in favor of the amendment.
At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty proposed an amendment to add fees to cover the costs of notification.
The motion will now go to the Legal Department and to the Legislative and Ordinance Committee, before coming back to the City Council.
