The city’s Planning Commission has at the behest of the Warren City Council recommended changes to regulations regarding the wholesale storage of ammunition and the presence of arsenals within the city limits.

The issue was brought to the floor by the council in January.

Two specific elements of the code are up for review. Both are part of a list of prohibited uses and defined in the code as “commercial ammunition manufacturing or wholesale storage of ammunition” and “arsenal.”

“I look at this … (as) defense of supplies needed for Second Amendment” protections, Councilman Joe Michaels said in January, and also “prohibiting an industry from operating in our city in a time when we are looking for jobs.

“My concern with arsenal,” he added, “is because (of the) complete vagueness of this ordinance. There is no definition of arsenal in this ordinance.”

He argued that definitions of the word can include “personal reserves” and said while campaigning that he saw “plenty of citizens (whose) collections could easily be described as arsenals.”

Recommendations came to the commission on Wednesday from city staff on both issues.

“The way our ordinance currently is, we are not allowed to prohibit this type of business in the city,” Randy Rossey, the city’s director of codes and planning, said of the arsenal issue.

“We stood alone in Pennsylvania with even referring to the term arsenal,” Planning Commission member Randy Gustafson said.

“We feel that it is too vague of a definition and should be removed from the ordinance all together,” Rossey said.

He then outlined the staff recommendation on the wholesale ammunition storage issue, recommending that the use be permitted by special exception. That, he explained, would take the issue before the Zoning Hearing Board giving anyone with an objection the forum to raise that.

Rossey further suggested that this type of business “should be limited to industrial areas” and not be located within 500 feet of residential areas, schools, parks, churches and other communal areas.

“We want to welcome businesses,” Planning Commission chair Angie Dart said. “Let’s leave it open for an opportunity to discuss.”

“There doesn’t seem to be too many areas where it could be placed anyway,” Commission member Mike Suppa suggested.

He asked if there needs to be any language included about placing a business like this around the refinery area.

“They have explosion proof buildings down there for other hazards,” Dart said. “There’s a lot of options there. It’s a far cry from here to there to talk about disqualifying certain areas.”

The commission approved the recommendations that will now go to the city council for consideration.