An ordinance in discussion for close to a year will move on to the Warsaw City Council with a favorable recommendation from the Warsaw Plan Commission.

The commission unanimously approved a zoning ordinance relating to vision clearance, accessory structures and general provisions relating to the placement of fences on unused easements and fence height restrictions. This ordinance amends the city’s existing ordinance with less restrictions.

The ordinance does not include the type of fence, which will be addressed at a later date.

A public hearing was held regarding the ordinance, with no remonstrance. Craig Nayrocker praised the ordinance, stating it would now allow people to place fences on (unused) easements. “It’s great to me as it allows leeway,” he stated on the overall ordinance. “A bunch of people have had to go to the BZA (for variances). With the change in the ordinance fewer will have to go to the BZA.”

Mike Klondaris stated “it is a good compromise to separate the two issues (fences).”

During other business the commission members approved the preliminary and final plat requests by Kim Hart in Country Club Corners, at the southeast corner of Shady Lane and Country Club Road and the re-platting by Greenberg Farrow, on the re-platting of the Petro Family Northern Subdivision at CR 300N and Shelden Street.

Hart requested a 1.5 acre lot be divided into two lots. The lots would be of adequate size for residential development and would not result in any public infrastructure or utility reconstruction.

Greenberg Farrow’s request to re-plat the subdivision would accommodate any future commercial use of the lot and provide additional right-of-way needed to connect to the residential development to the west and future Petro Drive extension. According to information presented to the commission, the proposed development will consume most of the 9 acre site, with a sanitary easement provided for any potential development on the southern portion of the lot.

Commission members were reminded to review the flood plain draft ordinance presented at the last meeting. Jeremy Skinner, city planner, noted he will be making minor changes to the draft where items were left open ended. In reference to the new ordinance, he stated “it is clean, less restrictive, and easier to understand.”

Both Jim Gast and Dave Baumgartner joked the new ordinance was “really interesting,” and a “nail biter.” It was noted there were a lot more definitions than before to allow a better understanding for the public.

Skinner stated the ordinance needs approval before Sept. 30, otherwise those in the flood zones would not be able to obtain appropriate insurance. Again it was noted there were more properties affected by the new maps, from being removed from the flood zone areas, than those being added to the flood zone areas.

He also stated once the ordinance is signed, residents can take the information to financial institutions to show proof no insurance is needed.

Klondaris stated this was another case of the plan commission and city being proactive to try and help constituents and the community with less regulations.