Following the Plan Commission's decisions during Monday night's meeting, members discussed the need to update Warsaw's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances to better suit the needs of local residents.

City Planner Jeremy Skinner presented various figures regarding potential lot sizes inside of R-1 zoning and reported that current R-1, R-2 and R-3 zonings all require the same mandatory lot sizes.

"I'm showing these figures to give you an idea of what we need to work towards and what we need to prevent in terms of planning and zoning," Skinner said. "We need to provide a better density chart within our zoning districts."

Skinner said changes within zoning ordinances would create nonconforming lots within Warsaw, but options such as grandfathering could be addressed by the board of zoning appeals.

"If changes were to be made, I'll provide as much assistance as possible," Skinner said.

"It's my job to represent the city," he said. "I'll tell residents what the BZA is about and what they will be looking forward to in their situation. It's my job to make them feel comfortable through these processes."

Commission members agreed with Skinner's suggestion of updating zoning districts, whether in R-1 or R-3 zoning.

"We need to best address the quality of life as well as the value of properties," member Jeff Grose said. "We didn't have the means to control recent situations, and I don't want to put our board or our residents in similar types of situations again."

Members Rick Keevan and Alan Clingan stressed the importance of updating R-2 and R-3 zoning as well, stating that they did not want to see a large gap between R-1 regulations and smaller residential districts.

"We're talking density, but I want the same protection through all residential zoning," Clingan said. "Lot sizes are seen as the only tool we have, but I feel we have more options. If we're going to do it, let's do it."

While Keevan agreed with the board's motive in the matter, he questioned the results the city would see in regards to nonconforming lots after the changes.

"If we want to keep an area dynamic, is it right to make people go through BZA circles?" Keevan said. "I want people to be comfortable. I want people to rebuild downtown. I don't want them to be discouraged through illegalities arising from this."

Skinner urged members to discuss the issues further with him after the meeting adjourned.

"Everyone is, more or less, on the same page," Joe Thallemer said. "We'll work through the smaller difficulties and hopefully all come out with a greatly improved plan for the city." [[In-content Ad]]