Times Observer file photo Discussion of increasing the number and location of city-owned tables and chairs in Warren was the focus of Wednesday’s City of Warren Planning Commission meeting.

The Warren City Council hasn’t kicked off planning for the 2025 budget in earnest.

But staff and the Planning Commission are aiming for an expansion of the downtown tables and chairs to be part of that discussion.

An increase in downtown dining establishments is at the heart of the discussion.

The discussion at Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting was identifying areas of priority for when that budget talk begins.

Four areas were identified – SecondAvenue, where many of the tables currently are; the 200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue West; the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue and the east side of Warren along Pennsylvania Avenue.

Randy Rossey, city director of codes and planning, called the Second Ave. location “restaurant row” and said “we do have some empty areas, especially with the new ice cream shop being put in there.”

This area was clearly identified as the top priority.

Scott Taylor, zoning and ordinance official, said he reached out to several east-side establishments and all were “on board” at the prospect of tables and chairs.

Commission member Mike Suppa said he would “hope to see” that “all of the tables in the spring are not situated in the main downtown.”

Rossey said the commission could act to increase the priority for the east side.

That’s the action the commission took, ranking Second Ave. and the east side as the top priority areas.

Commission member Randall Gustafson said that the Commission does not “need to micromanage something like” but noted “the secret sauce is shade” and encouraged city staff to work with forestry planners on this project.

MADISON AVE. SUBDIVISION APPROVED

The Commission on Wednesday also recommended approval of a subdivision application filed by the Warren Forest Counties Economic Opportunities Council regarding parcels on Madison Avenue.

Rossey said that the EOC owns 11 and 13 Madison Ave. and aims to pair it with a landlocked parcel.

EOC Executive Director Tressa Sweeney said that their “plan is to build two duplexes on there” with one-bedroom apartments for low-income housing.