WESTFIELD — Three Dudley Avenue homes came one step closer to being recognized as Westfield’s newest locally-designated historic properties on Monday during a regular meeting of the town’s planning board.

The three designations, which have already received preliminary support from both the town council and the Westfield Historic Preservation Commission, are expected to be finalized by ordinance later this month.

The board also discussed another ordinance, which would amend the land use ordinance to permit groundfloor office use in the recommended area outlined in the Central Business District (CBD).

For the next two to five years, the town will explore the potential of allowing ground-floor office use in the CBD at the appropriate locations on the fringe of the downtown area. This was based on a recommendation made by the Master Plan Re-examination Report, and it was further recommended by the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC), which led to a subsequent study that has resulted in the ordinance amendment proposal. The goal, planning board officials explained, is to bring additional visitors to the downtown area.

The affected area includes locations on Prospect Street, Elm Street, Elmer Street, LenoxAvenue and South Avenue West.

“In Westfield, our Master Plan is a living document,” said Board Vice-Chair Michael La Place.

Ross Goldstein was the only board member to vote against the ordinance, citing concerns related to the existing character of the neighborhood.

In addition to the ordinances, the board heard two appeals. The first was an application for a minor subdivision with five variances. Applicant Daniel Sabatino was represented by Stephen Hehl, Esq., and he discussed the application for the property located at 345 Springfield Avenue, Block: 3902, Lot: 9 (across from Unami Terrace), which includes a proposal to subdivide the property into two lots.

Mr. Hehl explained that a home that was built on the property in 1910 would not be disturbed as a result of the subdivision.

The subdivision would divide the property into two proposed lots. Lot 9.01, which would require two variances, would serve as the location for a new, single-family home, to be constructed in place of an existing structure that currently is used for storage. The existing 1910 home and a detached garage will be situated on Lot 9.02, which will need three variances before it can be fully approved.

A resident who lives on Springfield Avenue, George Tzezairlidis, asked if the board would weigh in on a proposed asphalt driveway for Lot 9.02, which he said could have a negative impact considering Springfield Avenue is such a busy street.

“This evening, we will be deciding where the lot lines would go if the subdivision were approved,” Board Chair Michael Ash said. “As a condition of that approval, we can recommend that the driveway be west of the structure at the appropriate time.”

The five variances, all of which pertain to mandated property setbacks and floodwater prevention, also were discussed by the project’s site planner on Monday.

The second appeal that the board heard involved an application to al- low the owner of 28 Prospect Street to convert what is now second-story office space above a nail salon into a residential unit.

The project also will include modifications to the external façade and parking area striping. The awning on the existing two-floor structure will be replaced with the necessary signage and the residential unit will have its own entrance.

“It’s important that we maintain the façade downtown,” said Mayor Shelley Brindle.

Mr. La Place mentioned that the area downtown is very quaint, and he expressed concern that he would not want to see anything “take away from that.” He considered the possibility that the façade might not fit in with the rest of the area.

“The Historic Preservation Commission is working on making our very quaint, 300-year-old downtown a historic district,” Mr. La Place said. “Our Downtown Westfield Corporation’s (DWC) design committee not only works with property and business owners on façades, but also helps with façade blueprints, so maybe some collaboration with the DWC can help make sure that this part of Prospect Street stays very quaint.”

Both appeals were approved with conditions.