At its January meeting, the Warsaw Plan Commission will look at a definition for recovery homes in the city. City Planner Jeremy Skinner Monday night said Assistant Planner Tim Dombrosky has been working on the definition. Recovery homes have come up a few times in front of the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals over the past year. “So we’re looking at a way to better define this use. And then how it fits into our zoning districts and to Warsaw as a whole,” Skinner said. The information given to the board was just for their review before the January meeting. No action was taken last night. Commission member Dave Baumgartner asked about bed & breakfast businesses. Dombrosky said they would be taking a look at better defining all types of nontraditional residential uses including beds & breakfasts, for-pay, temporary housing and distinguishing them from hotels and motels. He said there’s a lack in the city ordinances in that aspect that has come up that needs better definition. Dombrosky said recovery and group homes were both included in the definition. Commission member Jeff Grose said he appreciates the discussion on recovery homes because “we have had a lot of issues with this and it’s not been friendly to not only residents but also to those who are trying to provide these services. So I’m hoping the definitions will be able to give us an education, history and maybe even possible petitioners. That’s probably why we’re also looking at it so we can protect not only people wanting to do this but also the neighborhoods that would be influenced by it. I do appreciate it.” Mike Klondaris, Commission member, said the definition was “long overdue.” Skinner said if the commission members have any questions, they should call him or Dombrosky. In a memo to the Plan Commission, Dombrosky provided “some introductory information concerning recovery homes, as well as some definitions from” the city’s zoning ordinance. He states a use must be classified under the city’s definition before moving forward with permitting. If a use is not permitted by right, it must either get BZA approval or wait for an ordinance change. Residential facilties are licensed and regulated by the state. If a “residential facility” type of use is not licensed by the state, it does not fall under the city’s definition. Housing for the developmentally or mentally disabled is protected by the Federal Fair Housing Act. Addiction can be classified as a mental disability if diagnosed by a doctor. Family is not clearly defined in the city’s ordinance, according to Dombrosky’s memo.
