Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton A couple signs like this one, located at the intersection of Sixth Ave. and Market St., were placed several years ago to help people find Washington Park. A proposal has been made for a more robust wayfinding and gateway signage initiative.

The City of Warren’s Planning Commission wants to get involved in a proposal to enhance gateway and wayfinding signage in the city.

Council heard a pitch for a project to improve the city’s signage and the planners added their thoughts during a Wednesday morning meeting.

“This is our first chance to give the Planning Commission a bit of an update on what the (city’s comprehensive plan) task force is working on,” Director of Codes and Planning Randy Rossey said.

“(We) want input from just about everybody.”

The commission discussed that there’s currently a sign for Washington Park and one for the CAR Pool.

Planning Commission member MIke Suppa made an argument for a specific type of seasonal signage.

“We do have public restrooms in the restrooms in the city,” he said. “A lot of times people are looking for restrooms.”

He advocated for seasonal signages that could provide those kinds of directions.

“I think it’s underestimated how (often) people are looking for those types of facilities,” he said.

The pitch to city council on Monday was based in part on a trip to meet with officials in Jamestown, NY regarding that city’s signage initiative.

That effort piqued the commission’s interest.

Commission member Elizabeth Raible said Jamestown has put much effort into signage in the last couple years.

“(It’s) really easy to see,” she said. “Looking at what they have done is a fantastic job.”

She spoke more generally about the importance of signage.

“Getting people coming into the city where they want to go,” she said, “it’s not intuitive. Not everything (in Warren) is on one road. Getting people pointed in the right direction is very helpful, I think.”

Zoning ordinance hearing set

A public hearing has also been scheduled for March 18 at 7 p.m. by Warren City Council for a public hearing regarding the city’s proposed and updated zoning ordinance.

Council has indicated it will look to hold a work session to review public feedback and discuss its own proposals for the ordinance after that public hearing.

Rossey said the only public feedback received is an email about proposed short-term rental guidelines.

“It probably is one of the more important documents the city will put forth,” Rossey said. “It’s very important everybody takes a chance to look it over.”