Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Mayor David Wortman and Warren City Council on Monday recognized the Warren Area High School boys and girls basketball programs in the wake of successful seasons that saw the boys win the D-10 title and the girls win the first state playoff game in program history.

Warren City Council on Monday approved a draft zoning ordinance while removing proposed short-term rental regulations and calling for a review of a proposed mixed-use district on Market Street.

Since council’s changes are considered substantive, the ordinance will now pinball back to the Planning Commission for its review.

Regulations in the draft ordinance stated that a short-term rental, like Airbnbs or VRBOs, “shall not have any outside appearance indicating a change of use from the surrounding residential uses.”

Further, “the property owner must designate a local property representative for the purpose of” responding to complaints. “The name, address, email address and telephone contact number of the property owner and the local property representative shall be kept on file at the city and posted at the property,” among other regulations.

Councilman Phil Gilbert led the charge at Monday’s meeting to strike those provisions.

He said that the regulations would “create unnecessary burdens” on property owners and can stifle a growing economic engine.

“Responsible short-term rentals can enhance a community,” he added.

Councilwoman Wendy McCain raised the issue with the proposed mixed-use district along Market Street, aimed to reflect reality on the ground in that the area is a combination of residential and commercial use. She said that the mixed-use district would allow the site of the former East Street School to become a credit union.

“That is not acceptable to me personally as I live a block away,” she said. “The traffic I think that could create in that area, I don’t feel is appropriate for a residence.”

Director of Codes and Planning Randy Rossey said the entity looking at that lot for a credit union has decided to build in North Warren, instead.

The council’s final action was to approve the ordinance without the short-term rental language and also direct the Planning Commission to review the mixed-use district issue.