Traffic Commission Recommends Turning Union Street Into Two-Way
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Union Street from Center to Lake streets in Warsaw might become two-way.
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Warsaw Traffic Commission voted 8-1 to recommend making the change. Commission member and Warsaw City Councilwoman Cindy Dobbins was the lone no vote.
The request was made by Timothy Saylor of Innovative Communities Inc., Nappanee. He’s working on behalf of Cary Groninger, who’s developing the site of the former Madison Elementary School along Union into a housing development known as Gateway Grove.
Groninger also attended the meeting at City Hall virtually.
The development spurred the request. Saylor came to the meeting requesting that Union be made two-way between Porter and Center streets.
In previous discussions, it was noted that the intersection at Union and Lake streets would make it difficult for that section to be two-way, said Saylor.
Several commission members, including Dobbins, brought up concerns about making the street only partially two-way as they were worried some motorists might think the entire street is two-way. One of them, Street Department Superintendent Dustin Dillon, said the city does own the empty lot at the intersection of Union and Lake streets and could possibly change the intersection to enable two-way driving in that section as well.
“I guess I would kind of like to table it and just have Dustin and (City Engineer) James (Emans) put their heads together and come back to us with a recommendation,” said Dobbins.
However, Community Development Director Jeremy Skinner pointed out that the commission would only be voting to recommend it to the Warsaw City Council. It would still take time for the council to work through it, giving city employees time to develop a possible solution to the intersection.
The commission then made the recommendation to make that entire stretch of Union Street two-way.
Complete streets policy
The commission also voted to support a resolution adopting a complete streets policy for Warsaw.
Assistant City Planner Jonathan Latsko brought the policy before the commission. As outlined in the resolution, it seeks to create “streets for everyone, which are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and other users of all ages and abilities.”
The policy establishes a checklist that future street projects would be measured against. The list takes into account accessibility for all types of travelers.
Exemptions would be possible if they are “reviewed and approved by Public Works, Building, and Planning Staff,” as stated in the policy. Those exemptions must also “be documented, publicly available, and reported to the Board of Works.”
The policy also lays out exceptions to the checklist such as if “specific users are prohibited from using a street or other transportation facility (such as an interstate freeway) by law” and “accommodation is not practically feasible due to severe topographic constraints or significant adverse impacts to the natural environment, historic or cultural resources, or neighboring land uses.”
After several commission members voiced concerns, Latsko agreed to change the policy before the commission voted on it to clarify that the commission will have input in regard to approving exceptions and future changes to the policy. The measure next will go before the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety.
In other business, the commission:
- Watched Mayor Joe Thallemer swear in new commission member Justin Taylor. He’s the new city planner, replacing Skinner.
- Tabled talk about ways to address speeding on Parent Drive to provide more time for the board to look over proposed solutions.
- Did not approve a request by residents Marcelle and Fred Heady to put a sign near where they live on SR 15 encouraging truckers not to use their jake brakes. The use of the brakes makes a lot of noise. However, commission members denied the request as use of the brakes helps the semi-trucks slow down.
- Heard from commission member and Warsaw Police Capt. Joel Beam that at least one person voiced concern about angled parking at Market and Washington streets. Some of the vehicles extend into the streets when parked. Beam asked other commission members to check out the area before their next meeting to see if the issue needs further discussion.
The commission’s next planned meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at City Hall.