Portage Residents Face Vote on Zoning Overhaul That Could Reshape Neighborhoods

A Tuesday Hearing on Rules Dating to the 1960s

Portage residents will have a chance to influence how their neighborhoods grow when the Portage City Council holds a public hearing on Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m. at Portage City Hall (7900 South Westnedge Avenue).

The council will consider proposed updates to the city's residential zoning standards as part of a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). According to the city, the ordinance aims to modernize zoning, subdivision, and condominium development codes that in some cases date back to the 1960s.

"The UDO has been developed to modernize the city's zoning, subdivision, and condominium development codes and create a more cohesive framework to guide future growth in Portage," the city said in a news release.

Smaller Lots, Narrower Streets, More Housing Types

The proposed changes would allow for smaller lot sizes and setbacks in residential areas. The ordinance also permits a wider variety of housing types, according to city officials.

The draft recommends narrower residential streets and curves to leave more room for housing lots. These narrower streets would serve as the standard for new public and private residential streets.

The city has also proposed creating an incentive to preserve natural areas or green space in larger new developments. The plan allows flexibility to cluster homes and use a variety of low-density housing types.

Tied to the 2045 Master Plan

The UDO implements key recommendations from the Portage Forward Together 2045 Master Plan. The plan calls for greater flexibility to meet housing needs while protecting neighborhood character and the environment, according to the city.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority provided a grant to the City of Portage as an incentive to promote and enact residential zoning reforms, the city said.

The Planning Commission held a series of meetings in March and April to review the proposed zoning updates. The commission recommended approval of the ordinance to the City Council.

Two Phases

The residential zoning portion is the first phase of the UDO project. After the public hearing on June 23, the Portage City Council will consider adoption of the new UDO.

A second phase addressing commercial and mixed-use zoning districts will follow later this year, city officials said.

Residents can review draft materials and submit comments online at portagemi.gov/960.

Contact: Pete Dame, Chief Development Officer, (269) 329-4400