By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — One of the main points of discussion at the Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission meeting held Wednesday, Aug. 5, revolved around stopped traffic occurring on Center Street due to activity at Dunkin, 2234 E Center St. Warsaw.

City Planner Jeremy Skinner noted that this issue was not caused by poor design. The business is in compliance with all ordinances and the issue seems to stem from higher demand than the business can handle.

It was noted that the traffic issue is not limited to one side of the road, with Warsaw Police Department Captain Joel Beam noting that he’s seen vehicles in the area stopped both directions while waiting to enter the business. While the issue does seem to be increased due to COVID-19, the issue has been occurring since the business opened.

Since the business is not in violation, it was agreed that members of the commission would meet with management to see what solutions they may have. In the meantime, the city will work on putting up a sign to remind drivers that blocking the road is a misdemeanor.

“A well-placed sign with a ‘please do not block this road’ that it’s in violation,” suggested Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer.

The commission also discussed an issue with parking on both sides of the street on Pine Cone Lane. The main concern is that there is no room for emergency vehicles, mail carriers and snowplows in the area when on-street parking occurs.

Members of the commission agreed that in other subdivisions, they don’t typically regulate which side of the street parking occurs on. Instead, it’s typically up to the homeowner’s association and residents to monitor.

It’s difficult for the commission to determine which side of the road vehicles are permitted to park on. In addition, they don’t want to force residents to put their trash and recycling cans on a certain side of the road.

Commission members approved writing a letter to residents drafted by the city attorney. The letter would explain the issue and ask residents to be respectful about where they park, especially when it comes to parking on trash/recycling days.

The commission took no action on the possibility of a stoplight or roundabout in the area of Kincaide Street and Fisher Avenue.

Representatives of MACOG and INDOT provided input, agreeing that the traffic data does not warrant that type of action and would not guarantee funding for the project. In the future, the city may consider changing the geometry of the intersection or adding flashing lights for the associated crosswalk.

In other news:

• Dustin Dillon, who recently assumed the role as street department superintendent, was given the oath of office.
• The commission briefly discussed the possibility of a sidewalk or bike lane on North Harrison Street. No clear request was presented, so no action was taken. Commissioners agreed that if something were to be constructed in the future, it would need to be separated from the roadway due to high levels of traffic in the area.
• Discussed two resident requests for speed limit changes in both the Rolling Hills addition and on CR 200N from Vac Form east to the stop sign at Husky Trail. No action was taken during either discussion.
• The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held virtually at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.