Warsaw Plan Commission discussed updating the city's sign and scrapyard ordinances Monday night.
The city's sign ordinance has not been updated since 1998. Since then there have been signs that have been added to the ordinance that were not present in the city in 1998, according to Jeremy Skinner, city planner.
Skinner said the idea is to include light-emitting diode (LED) signs in the ordinance, including adding a definition for flashing and moving signs and illumination.
The city defines a flashing sign as a "situation created in which artificial light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity or color."
Illumination is artificial light directed at or produced by a single structure.
A moving sign is defined as a sign that moves or gives the appearance of movement by natural or artificial means for the purpose of attracting attention, promotion or advertising.
The ordinance also has a general provision section that includes extension of non-conforming freestanding signs.
The ordinance states a non-conforming freestanding sign may be extended throughout a zone lot, provided that any structural alterations must comply with current height and size requirement of the ordinance.
The signs are defined in the ordinance, along with other signs in the city.
In other business, the commission discussed updating its scrapyard ordinance.
"Although the current scrapyard ordinance states buildings or structures shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from property lines, it doesn't say anything about storage, fencing or material," Skinner said.
The board has agreed that setbacks for scrapyards should include fencing rather than allowing a scrapyard to store items on a property line.
"We are trying to make the ordinance clear so it includes fencing and screening," Skinner said.
Commission member Rick Keeven asked Skinner to consider setbacks for scrapyards.
"I don't want people coming to Zimmer to have to drive by a junk of heap at the scrapyard," Keeven said.
He said there should be height restrictions for how high scrapyards should be stacked.
Also during the meeting, Skinner said the the commission will discuss in the near future zoning for homeless shelters.
He said the city's zoning ordinance does not currently clearly define where homeless shelters can be located.
In other business, Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins read an oath of office for commission members Tammy Dalton and Tom Allen.
Wiggins said George Clemens will serve as a city council representative on the commission to replace Dan Hampton, who is now prosecuting attorney.
Jeff Grose serves as the other city council representative on the plan commission.
