Warsaw Plan Commission Monday heard a presentation on updating the city’s comprehensive plan. The plan has not been updated since 1998. Bradley Johnson, Ground Rules, a Zionsville company the city hired to update the plan, presented a rough draft to the commission. The commission in the next few weeks will review the draft. There will be a meeting Feb. 26 at 4:30 p.m. at city hall where Ground Rules will verbally share comments and suggestions from commission members on the plan. The commission will have an updated plan by its March 10 meeting to review. Johnson said the plan consists of a community profile and a comprehensive land classification and transportation plan. The purpose of the plan is to assist the city in managing community growth, fostering effective and safe transportation, stimulating economic growth, nurturing environmental quality and inspiring community character. Johnson said the plan will identify and show areas that are undeveloped, set aside for conservation purposes or used for open space for recreation. The plan also will identify areas for people who desire single-family low-, medium- and high-density housing. The transportation plan includes a plan for vehicles, bikes, pedestrians and mass transportation. The plan includes a section for bicyclists and pedestrians and addresses residential sidewalks, side paths and bike lanes. There also is a passenger rail plan that includes possible locations for train stops in Warsaw. Possible stops include the south side of the rail line between Buffalo and Detroit streets, the north side of the rail line between Hand Avenue and Union Street, the Gatke area between Harrison and McKinley streets and Winona Avenue between the Norfolk Southern Line and Scott Street. The plan identifies areas for future planning including studying the U.S. 30 corridor for aesthetics and ingress and egress, and the use of airport land for economic development. Johnson said one area the city could improve on is showcasing Center Lake that is not visible from Ind. 15 by providing more dining experiences that overlook the lake. He also suggested the city look into creating more east and west and north and south transportation routes.
