WARSAW — Warsaw Plan Commission members spent the bulk of its meeting Monday evening, Feb. 8, going over a draft of definitions of housing for its zoning ordinance.

Tim Dombrosky, assistant city planner, presented a PowerPoint showing a draft of new definitions, old definitions and the intent of the change. Only two definitions from the existing code were removed: family and apartment building. These two definitions repeated other definitions.

Housekeeping unit is suggested as replacing the use of family unit in the ordinance. The definition is all persons living together in one residence sharing cooking, sleeping and or bathroom facilities.

Lengthy discussion was held on definitions of residence, residential building and subcategories:

• Apartment
• Residence, single
• Residence, multiple
• Residence, duplex
• Residence, multiple unit
• Residence, accessory.

There was also discussion over the definitions of bed and breakfast, boardinghouse and lodginghouse, with suggestions different words be considered.

Among the discussion was potential removal of the word “built” under the subcategory for residence, accessory. Suggested replacement words included: created, developed, remodeling of secondary structure, established, developed.

Suggestions of changing the period of stay under the boardinghouse definition was made by Rick Packowski, commission member; and changing the boardinghouse definition to rental house was made by Diane Quance. Dombrosky noted members should “try not to get caught up in what a traveler could do or not what they do.” The definitions are geared toward persons coming in to the planning office and what they want to do.

It was noted the desire is to make the definitions loose enough so there are no cracks when requests are made relating to various housing uses.

Other definitions reviewed were those of hotel and motel.

Dombrosky stated he will think about some of the suggestions and refine definitions. He will bring before the commission a review of the regulations on the zoning ordinance.

During other matters:

• Commission members voted 6-1 to approve the final plat for the Busz Southern Subdivision. DeWayne Busz requested the replat of 4.94 acres into four lots. He received preliminary approval at the January meeting. Storm and snow easements were requested before final plate approval. Dave Baumgartner voted against approving the final plat. “Just because,” he stated adding he was not present at the January meeting, and was “not sure what it is about.”
• Approved the preliminary and final replat of West Hill 2, at CR 300N and Silveus Crossing. Jeremy Skinner, city planner stated the request is reconfiguring three lots, to meet the needs of Winona PVD for the construction of an 80,000 square foot expansion of existing manufacturing facility. Skinner noted this will not be the last time for the lots to be reconfigured.

The next meeting of the plan commission will be 7 p.m. Monday, March 14.