CORE proposal withdrawn
Date: 8/22/2012
By Carley Dangona
carley@thereminder.comWESTFIELD — At the City Council meeting on Aug. 16, Councilor James Brown withdrew his proposed ordinance to prohibit "night clubs" and other businesses in the Commercial Office Retail Enterprise District.
"We're going to have a working committee look at the whole thing," Brown said. "I want to get City Hall, more businesses from the community and the legal department involved to study and refine the ordinance."
City Council President Christopher Keefe explained that "requesting to withdraw without prejudice" enabled Brown to present the proposal again without a time restriction.
"It is no longer in front of the council, but can be presented again within one year," Keefe said.
Downtown Westfield resident, Andrew Porter described his reaction to the withdrawal.
"It's a win for now, but we'll be back [when the ordinance is presented again]," Porter said.
"It needs to be revised through the Licensing Commission," Tom Denardo, owner of Tommy D's Court Yard Pub, said. "They have the ability to modify licenses."
Gary Schneider, owner of restaurant Fired Up, said, "It would be an absolute deathblow. Without entertainment in downtown, Westfield would be a ghost town."
Brown further explained his plans for the ordinance.
"More research is needed to see what's been tried and tested," he said. "I would also like to give the Planning Board another chance to review [the amended proposal]."
