WCDC Director Rob Parker shares potential outdoor seating guidelines.

WARSAW — Outdoor seating and downtown parking were the main topics discussed at the Warsaw Common Council meeting held last night, May 1.

WCDC Director Rob Parker presented a set of guidelines being proposed for outdoor seating associated with businesses. The proposed guidelines were based off of what Goshen and Valparaiso are currently using in their towns.

“We just think it’s probably best if we have something everyone can comply with and make the downtown look better,” explained Parker.

The guidelines addresses topics such as the application process to have outdoor seating, barriers, types of furniture permitted, removal after season, upkeep, hours of operation, smoking and violations. One guideline that was made specifically clear regarded access openings. Council members agreed that a 5 foot walkway must exist to guarantee everyone has access into and through the seating areas.

Some of the items discussed at length during the meeting included the handling of violations.

The current handling of violations includes a verbal warning, followed by fines for each day a violation persists and ends with the the outdoor seating privilege eventually being pulled from the business. Council member Jeff Grose referred to this procedure as “friendly but firm.” Mayor Joe Thallemer wanted to make it clear that if fines are included in the guidelines then the information needs to be included in an ordinance.

No decisions were made last night, council members were given a chance to review the guidelines and hope to have something finalized at next month’s meeting.

Kip Shuter, Captain of Warsaw Police Department, presented a modification of downtown parking to the board. The changes were recommended unanimously by the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission. The modifications included:

• Changing 2-hour parking to unlimited parking on the north side of Market Street for a half block of Lake street.
• Changing 2-hour parking to unlimited parking on the west side of Lake Street for a half block north on Market Street.
• Changing unlimited parking to 2-hour parking on the east side of Lake Street for a half block north of Market Street.

Shuter explained that this modification makes use of underutilized parking and will make businesses in the area happy. The council approved the modification. The changes will go into effect 30 days after the city advertises them.

In other news:

• Mayor Joe Thallemer read a proclamation declaring May 13 “Poppy Day.” Residents are encouraged to wear a poppy on that day to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
• The council made a ceremonial approval of the  buried utility resolution that the Board of Works previously approved.
• Four tax abatements were presented for Little Crow Lofts, Whimet Inc., Redwood IT and Banner Medical Innovations. All four abatements were approved.
• Resident Sherri Dalrymple came before the board to complain about a recent experience with leaf clean-up. She owns several rental properties in the area, one of them being a 6-plex. She was not notified that leaf-clean up for the 6-plex was no longer available and wanted to know why she was not notified. Thallemer said he would look into the matter and contact her with an answer.