Plan Commission Approves Commercial Development Near Kohl's
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Plan Commission approved a commercial development plan during Monday night’s meeting.
The commercial development will be at the northeast corner of CR 300N and Shelden Street north of Kohl’s.
Commission member Rick Keeven made a motion to approve the development plan, seconded by Jim Gast. Tom Allen, Lacy Francis, Tammy Dalton, Jeff Grose and Mike Klondaris also voted in favor of the development plan.
Indiana Department of Transportation and Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission still need to approve a right-in and right-out entrance and exit plan.
Developer Thompson-Thrift requested to build a new retail outlet mall north of the existing Kohl’s store along Ind. 15N.
The retail outlet mall will be around 67,000 square feet with six tenant spaces north of Kohl’s, according to Don Potter, director of project management.
Thompson-Thrift has been in discussion with T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty and PetSmart to be located in the retail outlet, but leases have not been signed at this point, according to Ashlee Boyd, Thompson-Thrift senior vice president.
Boyd said Thompson-Thrift is talking to numerous restaurants and retailers for the project.
Boyd said the grand opening of the commercial development is planned for this fall.
During the meeting, Fred Helfrich, Kosciusko County Vilo Cycling Club advocacy chairman, said he supported the development plan.
He encouraged Thompson-Thrift to incorporate bicycle racks and an area for bicyclists and pedestrians into the development plan.
City Planner Jeremy Skinner said there is not a requirement for bicycle racks to be installed, but he will encourage Thompson-Thrift to consider installing bike racks.
Allen said he agreed that accommodating bicycles into the development plan is a good idea.
The development plan is for Warsaw Commons Phase 2 with the following conditions: that a building permit be obtained, the development must comply with the city’s erosion control ordinance, and a right-in and right-out design for the development’s entrance and exit be submitted and approved by Indiana Department of Transportation and the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission prior to construction.
The traffic commission approved sending a favorable recommendation to the plan commission for the right-in and right-out only access from the commercial development site.
In other business, the commission approved a preliminary and final plat for Warsaw Commons Subdivision at the northwest corner of CR 300N and Ind. 15.
The commercial subdivision on the north side of Warsaw will be the second section of the Warsaw Commons subdivision.
The subdivision will extend north of the existing Warsaw Commons development and contain three lots making up a little less than 24 acres of commercial space.
Also during the meeting, the commission reviewed the city’s sign ordinance.
Skinner presented the commission with an updated ordinance and asked the members to review it and provide feedback before the next meeting.
The city’s ordinance that was passed by Warsaw City Council in 2001 for banners and attention-getting devices states that signs that move or give the appearance of movement are prohibited.
The prohibition includes attention-getting devices such as pennants, streamers, balloons and all other signs undulate, swing, rotate, oscillate or otherwise move by natural or artificial means for the purpose of attracting attention, promotion or advertising.
