Warsaw Planners Hold City Sign Hearing, OK Expanding TIF District
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Plan Commission held a public hearing Monday night for the city’s sign ordinance.
The commission will have another public hearing on the topic at its July 9 meeting. The commission at that time will be ready to make a recommendation to Warsaw City Council on the sign ordinance.
Another public hearing will be at the city council meeting.
Jennifer Kauffman, CEO of the Vein Institute and Medical Spa, Warsaw, attended Monday’s plan commission meeting and requested the city encourage the development of commerce by allowing the use of professional banners.
She said she didn’t think the use of professional banners, that are now restricted to what she called a current cumbersome metal sign that they are currently required to rent through a specific company, is not appropriate.
“Businesses should be held accountable to create professional temporary signage,” Kauffman said.
Jeremy Skinner, city planner, said balloons are still prohibited for businesses as they cause safety issues with interfering with NIPSCO poles, flying away and litter.
He also said walking signs where people walk with a sign are prohibited also.
“When the signs become an issue at businesses we can enforce it,” Skinner said.
After hearing from business owners at the May 15 plan commission meeting, the commission decided to extend the amount of time temporary signs are allowed.
The proposed ordinance now allows the use of temporary signs not to exceed 120 days of use per business in a calendar year. The allowed time used to be 90 days.
For those whose primary business is conducted outside, moving signs may be used excepting that within 25 feet of public right of way. All advertising material must be secured on all sides from moving in the wind. This includes banners, flags and streamers.
The city added in the sign ordinance that one sidewalk sign is permitted in a C-2 neighborhood commercial district.
Skinner said the city also changed the amount of time allowed for flashing signs from 6 seconds to now 3 seconds.
The city also changed how temporary signs are calculated. Instead of allowing one temporary sign, the business must comply with square footage. Temporary signs must have a separation distance equal to 1/4 the length of the lot’s frontage.
The ordinance also states for public service signs, a sign for non-profit or government agencies and special events, all types of advertising material may be used but must be removed immediately following the event.
“I wanted a sign ordinance that represents the community standards and I think this does that,” Rick Keeven, board member, said.
Jeff Grose, commission member, also said he supported the ordinance.
“This is well written and I like the compromise,” Grose said.
Jim Gast, commission member, supported the ordinance.
“I don’t see a problem with the way the ordinance is written,” Gast said.
Also during the meeting, the commission approved expanding the Tax Increment Finance district to create an industrial park.
The district will now include two properties, the Kerlin property on the northeast side of CR 200W and U.S. 30 and Cardinal Services properties west of Ivy Tech at the northwest corner of U.S. 30 and CR 200W.
Also during the meeting, Tammy Dalton was recognized by Tom Allen, plan commission president, for her years of service on the commission.
Dalton served on the commission from 2004 to 2012, and now serves on the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals.
Dave Baumgartner replaces Dalton on the plan commission.
Allen and Grose thanked Dalton for her service.
Dalton said she will miss serving on the commission.
“I’ve always loved working with you all. This board was fun and I have a lot of respect and admiration for what you do every day and continue to do,” Dalton said.
