WESTFIELD — An amended redevelopment plan that will reduce the size and scope of the One Westfield Place construction project was found to be consistent with the town’s master plan during a regular meeting of the Westfield Planning Board on Monday.

According to a presentation given by Christopher Colley, a principal planner employed by the town’s redevelopment entity, Topology, HBC|Streetworks (the project’s redeveloper) intends to reduce the overall scope of the project by about 25 percent. One of the office buildings, a 90,000-square-foot facility that was slated for construction at the South Avenue train station parking lot, will be removed from the plans and replaced with a third parking deck that will be reserved for an as-of-now unnamed anchor tenant during regular business hours and made available to the public on nights and weekends.

Another parking garage that was originally expected to be built underground at the Lord & Taylor site will be moved above ground to accommodate the needs of potential tenants.

“I find that the amended redevelopment plan is extremely consistent with the goals and objectives laid out in our master plan,” Board Chair Michael Ash said.

Residents were given the opportunity to voice their opinions about the project during a specially-approved public-comment section of Monday night’s proceedings.

“It’s important to note that this is not a hearing, and we are not required to add public comment to the record,” Mr. Ash said. “However, we recognize that this is an issue of public importance, so we will allow it.”

Two residents — Carla Bonacci and Alison Carey — identified themselves as representatives of an ad hoc citizens group known as the Westfield Advocates for Responsible Development at Mr. Ash’s request.

The organization, which is still soliciting donations for its legal fund via its website, filed suit against the town, its leadership and the planning board in 2023 after the first One Westfield Place redevelopment agreement was signed. The group argued that the town had failed to follow certain protocols related to the project and cited transparency issues, community impact and due process among their chief complaints.

A state Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the town in February of this year.

Mr. Ash read from the judge’s decision on Monday, which declared the process that the town had initially undertaken surrounding the project and its ultimate approval as “an appropriately supported, developed, well-reasoned and sound decision.

“[We] maintain that the planning board should not be advancing the redevelopment plan until the board has fully and fairly considered and addressed all community impacts pursuant to local redevelopment law,” Ms. Carey said, adding that the organization has filed an appeal and intends to continue through to the next steps of the litigation process.

Board Attorney Alan Tremulak reminded residents that redevelopment agreements “supersede” local zoning codes.

“There are certainly inconsistencies between the redevelopment plan and the prior zoning at the site, but you have to understand…the redevelopment plan essentially creates a new zoning ordinance. Of course it’s going to be inconsistent — it’s designed to replace what was there before,” Mr. Tremulak said.

The amended plan was deemed consistent with the town’s master plan by a unanimous vote from the board, and will now be returned to the Westfield Town Council for a final vote.

The board also gave its unanimous approval to site plans for the Martin Wallberg American Legion Post 3 redevelopment project, which will seek to create new housing opportunities and connect local veterans to important resources and services.

“There are over 500 registered homeless veterans in the state of New Jersey as well as other veterans who are too embarrassed by their plights to admit that they are struggling,” said Allan Betau, the Legion post’s vice commander. “We need to care for them, much like they cared for us.”

The project, once complete, will add 22 fully-furnished apartment units for homeless veterans and will incorporate space for support services and special functions. Plans also call for a new cantina for the building’s future residents and other members to enjoy, and will add a new, 3,000-squarefoot event space to the facility.

“This project will help us to address an area of major need in our community,” Mr. Betau said. “We are excited to get started.”

The next meeting of the Westfield Planning Board will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2, at the town hall.