Warsaw Planners Discuss Sign Ordinance, Complete Streets Policy
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
The commission also discussed a policy that would accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.
The plan commission will need to hold public hearings on the sign ordinance proposal, and provide recommendations to Warsaw City Council on a sign ordinance update.
The ordinance states all signs erected in the city must require a permit from the Warsaw Planning Office.
All signs must be constructed, connected, operated and maintained according to the provisions of the Uniform Building Code and the electrical codes for the city.
Temporary signs are permitted provided that advertising material must comply with the provisions of the Warsaw zoning code, and a temporary sign must not exceed one-half the display area of a permitted permanent sign.
Prohibited signs are those that bear words, phrases, symbols, colors or characteristics which may mislead, interfere with or confuse traffic.
Signs also prohibited are those that are erected or attached to any sidewalk, street, tree lawn, curb, curbstone, hydrant, lamppost, telephone or utility pole.
During the meeting, Mark Dobson, Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce president, said his government affairs committee met and discussed concerns they had with the temporary signs rules.
He said the committee felt there needs to be consistency in temporary sign sizes for businesses on small and large properties and enforcement of sign rules.
The committee also wondered if a sign such as the Marsh sign that is lit could remain.
Jeff Grose, plan commission member, said he did not agree with prohibiting signs to be illuminated.
That sign would apply to continuation of nonconforming signs, according to Jeremy Skinner, city planner.
The ordinance states the lawful use of a sign existing at the time of passage of the ordinance may be continued, although the sign does not conform to all provisions of the ordinance.
It also states construction signs may be displayed only for the duration of the construction, and do not require a permit.
Rick Keeven, plan commission member, said there have been issues with construction companies leaving up signs after a project is completed, or not finishing a project and leaving up the sign.
The ordinance states in a residential zone district no sign is allowed to exceed 16 square feet in an area and 4 feet in height. It also states no illumination is permitted.
Joe Clevenger, Clevenger Insurance, attended the meeting and requested the commission allow for rezoning where businesses are located on Center Street to allow businesses to operate with lighted signs.
Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals previously ruled an internal lit sign at the business is prohibited in the residential district where Clevenger Insurance is located.
The ordinance also states one monument sign is permitted at each primary entrance to a subdivision, apartment complex or other residential development.
Skinner said the intent is to match the intensity of the business with the sign.
“The city wants to be clear and concise and provide opportunities for businesses to efficiently promote their businesses,” Skinner said.
In other business, the commission approved a resolution for the city’s acquisition of property for 11.5 acres of property north of Kohl’s to be in the Northern Economic Development Area.
It is part of property that is being developed for a retail establishment.
Lot two of the replat of the Nye-Brant plat is located at 590 W. CR 300N, Warsaw.
The commission also heard a Complete Streets policy presentation from Tim Dombrosky, assistant city planner.
Warsaw City Council previously discussed the policy that would allow the city to direct its transportation planners and engineers to routinely design and operate rights of way for transportation projects that are user friendly to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
Public meetings will need to be held to allow the community to provide input on the policy, and a recommendation will need to be provided to Warsaw City Council for approval.[[In-content Ad]]
The commission also discussed a policy that would accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.
The plan commission will need to hold public hearings on the sign ordinance proposal, and provide recommendations to Warsaw City Council on a sign ordinance update.
The ordinance states all signs erected in the city must require a permit from the Warsaw Planning Office.
All signs must be constructed, connected, operated and maintained according to the provisions of the Uniform Building Code and the electrical codes for the city.
Temporary signs are permitted provided that advertising material must comply with the provisions of the Warsaw zoning code, and a temporary sign must not exceed one-half the display area of a permitted permanent sign.
Prohibited signs are those that bear words, phrases, symbols, colors or characteristics which may mislead, interfere with or confuse traffic.
Signs also prohibited are those that are erected or attached to any sidewalk, street, tree lawn, curb, curbstone, hydrant, lamppost, telephone or utility pole.
During the meeting, Mark Dobson, Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce president, said his government affairs committee met and discussed concerns they had with the temporary signs rules.
He said the committee felt there needs to be consistency in temporary sign sizes for businesses on small and large properties and enforcement of sign rules.
The committee also wondered if a sign such as the Marsh sign that is lit could remain.
Jeff Grose, plan commission member, said he did not agree with prohibiting signs to be illuminated.
That sign would apply to continuation of nonconforming signs, according to Jeremy Skinner, city planner.
The ordinance states the lawful use of a sign existing at the time of passage of the ordinance may be continued, although the sign does not conform to all provisions of the ordinance.
It also states construction signs may be displayed only for the duration of the construction, and do not require a permit.
Rick Keeven, plan commission member, said there have been issues with construction companies leaving up signs after a project is completed, or not finishing a project and leaving up the sign.
The ordinance states in a residential zone district no sign is allowed to exceed 16 square feet in an area and 4 feet in height. It also states no illumination is permitted.
Joe Clevenger, Clevenger Insurance, attended the meeting and requested the commission allow for rezoning where businesses are located on Center Street to allow businesses to operate with lighted signs.
Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals previously ruled an internal lit sign at the business is prohibited in the residential district where Clevenger Insurance is located.
The ordinance also states one monument sign is permitted at each primary entrance to a subdivision, apartment complex or other residential development.
Skinner said the intent is to match the intensity of the business with the sign.
“The city wants to be clear and concise and provide opportunities for businesses to efficiently promote their businesses,” Skinner said.
In other business, the commission approved a resolution for the city’s acquisition of property for 11.5 acres of property north of Kohl’s to be in the Northern Economic Development Area.
It is part of property that is being developed for a retail establishment.
Lot two of the replat of the Nye-Brant plat is located at 590 W. CR 300N, Warsaw.
The commission also heard a Complete Streets policy presentation from Tim Dombrosky, assistant city planner.
Warsaw City Council previously discussed the policy that would allow the city to direct its transportation planners and engineers to routinely design and operate rights of way for transportation projects that are user friendly to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
Public meetings will need to be held to allow the community to provide input on the policy, and a recommendation will need to be provided to Warsaw City Council for approval.[[In-content Ad]]
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