With continuous reminders of traffic concerns, the Warsaw Plan Commission approved a preliminary plat for Husky Trail subdivision Monday, the first step in incorporating 113 residential units along Husky Trail.

Both commission officials and residents expressed concerns of increased activity along Husky Trail, which has both Harrison Elementary and multiple apartment complexes already existing in the area.

Casey Erwin, senior project manager for the Husky Trail subdivision, said the company he represented, Harrison Lake Development, was well aware of traffic situations in the surrounding neighborhoods, and provided statistics from both traffic counts and trip generators to show how congestion would be affected.

Warsaw's Traffic Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat during a Jan. 5 meeting where it estimated the site plan would incur 8-to-13 percent of all traffic on Husky Trail.

The speed limit along the road will decrease from 45 mph to 35 mph, and residents attending Monday's meeting urged the commission to place flashing yellow warning signs along the road to identify when children were present.

"I'm concerned for everyone driving these roads. As we watch development after development come in, we need to stay on course with traffic safety," commission president Joe Thallemer said.

"As everyone is aware, this area has been quite troublesome," member Jeff Grose said. "But the numbers presented are quite favorable for (construction.)"

Residents Kyle and Rhonda Hanft, property owners to the north of the subdivision, wondered what would happen to a gravel road that bordered the housing addition's property.

Erwin said the road would be left as is, and would allow the exit, which creeps onto the property, to remain.

Rhonda Hanfts said she planned to continue hunting on her property, which is still zoned as a county residence.

The commission approval was unanimous, with a 5-0 vote.

Another matter during Monday's meeting involved a request for a residential unit to be constructed through the Habitat for Humanity organization.

Jeff Owens spoke for the organization and said construction plans consisted of a single family residence for individuals chosen through Habitat for Humanity.

The property is on the southwest corner of Logan and Eagle streets, and currently is owned by the city.

Members approved the petition, and the matter now will be presented in front of the city council with no additional conditions from the plan commission.

The board also:

• Approved a corrective replat of a portion of the Nye Brandt plat. City Planner Jeremy Skinner said the correction would re-establish property lines after a mistake in pin locations was discovered.

• Approved the vacation of public right of way to be granted to the Bowen Center. The property lies between Center and Jefferson streets directly east of Taft Street.

• Tabled a proposal from Skinner to change development standards for residential units. Members were asked to review a packet Skinner provided and be prepared to discuss the information at a later meeting.

Present members were Thallemer, Grose, Jim Gast, Tammy Dalton and Lacy Francis. Alan Clingan and Rick Keeven were absent. [[In-content Ad]]