Mayor Joe Thallemer, center, administered the oath of office to members of the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission. Standing from left are Jack Wilhite, Lt. Kip Shuter, Thallemer, Lt. Joel Beam, Connie Fribley and Cindy Dobbins. Seated, from left are Warsaw Street Superintendent Jeff Behler, City Planner Jeremy Skinner and City Engineer James Emans. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

WARSAW — A look into solutions to parking for residents of approximately 12 downtown apartments/condominiums has begun by members of the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission. The discussion began Wednesday at its monthly meeting. A preliminary draft of an ordinance addressing this issue may be drafted to further conversation.

Concerns of several downtown residents to be allowed to park closer to their homes, without having to move their vehicles every two hours, has been expressed. It was noted a parking study was conducted in 2012 and the initial thoughts were eight or so spots in the city lot along with spaces in several other lots would be sufficient. However the long distance has become an issue.

Mayor Joe Thallemer stated there is a desire to make the downtown area parking friendly for patrons, merchants and residents. He noted originally there were spots reserved in the South Buffalo Street parking lot for residents however, these have not been utilized due to the distance. “What we want to do is make the downtown walkable and livable,” he stated.

A case in point was an open house at one building where the owner had created several condominiums. But there were no renters/buyers due to lack of nearby parking.

Thallmer noted the North Buffalo Street project, which includes urbanized housing, is addressing the parking issue in the plans. “That is a deterrent for individuals coming to develop … we want our downtown parking to be as friendly for the residents as everyone else.”

Initial ideas tossed out included: issuing hang tags for a nominal fee, $5 a month, be issued to downtown residents, allowing for unlimited parking in two-hour parking areas; limiting parking tags to one vehicle per household; limiting the length of time a vehicle could park in one space to deter junk vehicles being left; limiting parking on certain sides of the street during snow removal times; and establishing residential parking zones. An idea was also suggested to have the building owners provide names of occupants.

Cindy Dobbins, county councilwoman and commission member, has been surveying the apartments and obtaining a number of occupants as well as vehicles to assist in the discussion. She noted there is at least one building owner she has not contacted.

Jeremy Skinner, city planner, noted the city’s downtown is unique compared to other cities as there are no parking meters or public transportation available to downtown residents.

A draft of an ordinance may be presented at the next traffic safety commission meeting.

During other business:

• Commission members were sworn in, including two new members: Connie Fribley and Jack Wilhite.
• Action tabled on parking issues in Park Ridge until further information is received from the homeowners association of the subdivision.
• Approved the official city hall parking lot ordinance. This ordinance officially details regulations for parking in the city hall parking lot and penalties for any violations.
• Approved an ordinance changing the membership of the commission membership. This change increased the commission from seven to nine, moving the city planner and street department superintendent as voting members instead of non-voting.

The next regular meeting of the commission will be 1 p.m. Feb. 3.