Warsaw’s parking rules are changing as outlined in this map. The only change to the original plan is noted in red. Tower Bank has requested the angled parking north of the building be left at 2-hour parking to accommodate its customers.

During Monday night’s meeting of the Warsaw Common Council, an amendment discussed during the July 16 adoption of the parking ordinance was approved. Today, the Warsaw Traffic Commission discussed the plan, which will go into effect Sept. 1.

Last month, the city council adopted a plan that opens up 97 free, unlimited parking spaces in the downtown area and creates 38 new spaces (see story). While the city’s ordinance was in effect immediately, a state ruling requires the ordinance publicly advertised allowing 30 days to pass before it is enforceable.

Today’s discussion by the traffic commission was on signage for the areas which have changed.

Warsaw Police Lt. Kip Shuter heads the WTC and led today’s meeting with a discussion on whether or not to mark areas that will change from the current 2-hour limited parking to free, unlimited parking. In a unanimous move, the board agreed that leaving the free areas unmarked should be sufficient.

Although Mike Klondaris said there may be some misunderstanding by the public that free parking does not truly mean unlimited, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said, “It’s no different anywhere else,” and Shuter added that the city ordinance identifies a vehicle parked in the same spot for a period of 48 hours an abandoned vehicle.

In a related matter, the board agreed to allow one parking space at the northeast corner of the Market and Buffalo streets intersection to be designated for 15 minute parking. The request came from the owner of Indiana Antiques who said there is often no place for his customers to park and load items they purchase from his store.

“He’s been a really good neighbor and I know he brings people to town,” said WTC member Cindy Dobbins. “I would be in favor of allowing it.”

In other matters, the WTC agreed to send a recommendation to Indiana Department of Transportation to look into “no turn on red” options at Detroit and Market streets, and install lighted pedestrian signs there. Thallemer said the request came from a concerned resident who said pedestrians are often ignored by motorists turning from westbound Market onto northbound Detroit Street. Detroit and Market streets is the only lighted intersection without a pedestrian sign.

Another request from a Warsaw resident was discussed, but the WTC opted to leave the left turn restriction in place on South Buffalo Street at Prairie Street. In a letter to the traffic commission, Margaret Reisert called the restriction “a disruption to traffic flow.” The board disagreed, noting that if left turns were allowed in either direction, traffic on South Buffalo Street would be backed up even further than it can get now.

“I remember when this was put in place,” Shuter said. “It was done to help the schools and I don’t personally see an issue with keeping it a no turn.”

A final request was tabled until the WTC obtains more information. Nick Schrauder, a resident of Lindenwood Avenue, requested a “no parking” sign at the top of a hill at Park Ridge Drive. He said people park on the top of the hill in front of a playground causing a blind spot. “This could eventually end poorly if no sign is installed,” he wrote.

Shuter requested Schrauder send photos of the area when vehicles are parked there. Warsaw Police Officer Mike Cox checked the area three different times and found no vehicles parked there. In his findings Cox also noted, “In my opinion, drivers doing the speed limit should have no problem seeing the playground and children approaching the street, with plenty of time to stop.”

The Warsaw Traffic Commission will meet again at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4.