On February 4, 2022, the City of Indianapolis held a public WebEx virtual meeting to discuss the proposed rezoning of The Willows Center banquet facility property, located at 6729 Westfield Boulevard [DD25 on map].

The zoning request is to change from SU34 (banquet facility uses) to D-P (Planned Unit Development District, with zoning restrictions set by the proposed project). D-P requests require public meetings before the matter comes before the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) for approval.

This project would raze the existing banquet facility along Westfield Boulevard as well as the Lodge on the south end of the lake. Along Westfield, a 900 foot long, 5 story (1 level of parking, 4 levels of apartments) building would hold 239 apartment units. There would be 343 parking spaces. On the south end of the site, eight 2- and 3-story double-townhouse units with 2-car garages would be built. The public walking path around the lake would be preserved. The facade of the apartment building would be broken to make it appear as multiple buildings. Sidewalks would be added for future connectivity to the Monon Trail.

Members from several City of Indianapolis departments commented. It was said that the City deems the project over-parked and would prefer less parking and more greenspaces.

A lengthy discussion followed from the Oxbow community, which abuts this project on the south. They described the issues of the mass of the building along Westfield and the heights of all of the buildings proposed for the site. Also the proposed density increase and traffic increase on Westfield. It was also stated that the water pressure in the area is insufficient for this expansion. There was also concern for the proposal to share the Oxbow entrance drive with the new townhouses.

Spirit Lake condominiums also stated opposition to the project for many reasons. One was the safety of pedestrians trying to access the Monon Trail. Access is only available at 75th Street and at 71st Street, and there are no safe ways to get there.

The representatives for the proposal spoke to some of these concerns and asked to communicate to the remonstrators after this meeting.

The public meeting before the DMD is now scheduled for March 16, 2022.