City Plan Director Jeremy Skinner (L) talks with members of the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission (from left) Tim Meyer, Rick Snodgrass and Jeff Grose. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

WARSAW — Two residential TIF district proposals took the first step toward eventual approval Monday when the redevelopment commission passed a resolution supporting the plan.

Creation of the districts is being sought to stimulate residential developments in pockets surrounding two elementary schools in the Warsaw Community Schools District, Eisenhower and Harrison.

Residential TIF districts are a newly established mechanism created by the state that allows municipalities to collect new increment of property tax revenues that comes from new residential development.

The city is banking on the idea that infrastructure constructed with the TIF revenues will entice residential development.

The northern district includes Harrison. The southern district includes Eisenhower.

The city recently hosted four meetings at the two schools, seeking public input. The plan has not generated any opposition.

The plan not only intends to boost residential development in the city but also to help increase enrollment in the two schools, according to City Plan Director Jeremy Skinner.

The southern district extends from CR 200S on the south to Warsaw Community High School on the north end and from Shady Crest to the west and east to Winona Lake

The northern district includes the Menards residential development area, Husky Trail, Shadow Lakes and Bella Gusta.

The proposal now heads to the city plan commission for a vote on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

City Council and Warsaw Community Schools Board must also approve the plan before the redevelopment commission fives its final approval.

The city is seeking to finalize the plan by the end of the year.