At its meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, the Warsaw Planning Commission settled on a draft of the city’s comprehensive plan. The commission was presented with the plan at a meeting last month, and only a few minor changes, namely extending medical classification further east and prioritizing a park project and bike lanes, were made on that draft.

The commission requested one small change at the Sept. 8 meeting. In part two, objective 4.6, wording was changed from “Promote the utilization of solar panels” to include any alternative energy sources. Fred Helfrich, representing Kosciusko County Velo Cycling Club, spoke out in support of the plan, stating its bicycle and pedestrian friendly aspects would be positive for the community.

The commission voted to pass the plan, with the change to part two, on to the city council.

The council also continued its discussion on the city’s zoning ordinance regarding fencing and accessory buildings. Assistant City Planner Tim Dombrosky presented the commission with an of a portion of the ordinance regarding setbacks, fences and accessory structures.

The commission approved of section 13.5.2.1.d, which reads, “Easements. The city of Warsaw shall not be responsible for fences removed or damaged as a result of placement in an easement. The fence owner shall acknowledge upon signature of a fence permit that a fence or other private property placed in an easement may be removed without warning at any time and shall not be subject to reimbursement.”

It also chose wording that constrains front yard fences to four feet high and must be decorative, not privacy or chain link. Exceptions would need to be approved by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals.

City planners and the planning commission are still not satisfied with the wording regarding accessory buildings and structures. “We’re getting too much of the same request, that means we’re not addressing the issue,” said City Planner Jeremy Skinner, siting the BZA hears six to eight appeals on accessory buildings each year.

Currently the ordinance designates accessory building size based on lot size, allowing for buildings up to 1200 sq. ft. City planners hope to find a way to cut down on the number of appeals the BZA hears by updating the ordinance. City street superintendent Jeff Beeler worried about tall accessory structures being close to the road. If setbacks aren’t taken into account, Beeler feels there would be more constricted alleyways, such as those common downtown, which would make snow removal difficult, and the pathways would be constrictive.

Ultimately, the commission did not formally approve the new draft of the ordinance. Further work will be done on the accessory structures section, and a new draft will be submitted at a later date.

Also at the meeting, the commission approved the final play of the Parkview Warsaw YMCA Health Campus.