Portage, Michigan
Upcoming
Park Board
The Portage Park Board will receive financial reports, department updates, and subcommittee event planning updates. No major decisions or votes are scheduled; the agenda is largely informational and procedural.
- Financial report for June
- Summer Concert Series planning update
- Oktoberfest and Monster Mash event updates
- Lending Book Library and Park Passport initiatives report
- Individual park reports and assignments
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Portage Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing and decide on a variance request to build a second-story addition over the existing footprint of a nonconforming dwelling at 3629 East Shore Drive. The board will also hear a new variance request for property at 9914 East Shore Drive. Additionally, the board will elect officers for the upcoming term.
- Old Business: Variance ZBA #25-05 for 3629 East Shore Drive — second-story addition over existing footprint on a nonconforming lakefront lot; staff recommends approval.
- New Business: Variance ZBA #26-01 for 9914 East Shore Drive — details not provided in agenda packet.
- Other Business: Election of officers (postponed from June meeting).
- Approval of draft minutes from June 8, 2026 meeting.
Recent meetings
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a Preliminary Condo Plan for Firestone Site Condominiums, proposing 49 single-family detached homes on 21.64 acres at 4221 Zylman Avenue. Staff recommends approval of the plan, which would connect to the existing Hearthside Estates neighborhood via Fireside Avenue.
- Public hearing for Preliminary Condo Plan – Firestone Site Condominiums, 49 lots on 21.64 acres at 4221 Zylman Avenue
- Proposal includes new public streets, sidewalks, stormwater basin, and extension of city water and sewer utilities
- Staff recommends Planning Commission recommend City Council approval
Historic District Commission
The Historic District Commission will vote on the Certificate of Appropriateness application for CertainTeed Landmark PRO Moire Black shingles on the roof of 6235 Oakland Dr and has already denied the motion 5-1. The commission will also discuss the Stuart Manor project, barn awareness efforts, and review the FY 2025‑2026 Goals and Objectives working document. Additional agenda items include announcements such as a car show at the former Beacon Club on June 13.
- Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness for CertainTeed Landmark PRO Moire Black shingles at 6235 Oakland Dr (motion denied 5‑1)
- Discussion of the Stuart Manor project and its historic interpretation
- Update on barn awareness and preservation efforts
- Review of FY 2025‑2026 Goals and Objectives working document with multiple task assignments
- Announcement of a car show at the former Beacon Club on June 13
Environmental Board
The Portage Environmental Advisory Board will review several reports, including a recycling trip schedule and updates on Dark Sky and Green-a-thon projects. A City Water System presentation will be given, followed by discussion of a water management tour. No formal decisions are noted on the agenda.
- WM Recycling Trip scheduled for Tuesday, June 16
- City Water System presentation by Michael Smoter
- Update on Dark Sky initiative
- Update on Green-a-thon event
- New business: discussion of a water management tour
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Portage Zoning Board of Appeals will hear a variance request to build a third garage stall five feet from the side property line (10 ft required) at 2339 Woody Noll Drive. The board will also consider a requested postponement for the appeal at 3629 East Shore Drive to July 13, after the new Unified Development Ordinance takes effect. Additionally, the board will elect officers and approve prior meeting minutes.
- Variance request ZBA #25-06 for 2339 Woody Noll Drive: third garage stall with 5-foot side yard setback (10 ft minimum required)
- Postponement request for ZBA #25-05 at 3629 East Shore Drive to July 13, 2026 pending new UDO
- Election of Zoning Board of Appeals officers
- Approval of minutes from May 11, 2026 meeting
- Public comment period (Statement of Citizens)
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a Special Land Use Permit for a self-defense school proposed at 8135 Cox's Drive suite 207. The applicant, Levi Stace, plans to offer life-saving and self-defense classes, along with limited retail of firearms and ammunition. Staff recommends approval with conditions limiting retail to class enrollees and requiring ATF approval for firearms sales. The Commission will also approve minutes from the May 7, 2026 meeting.
- Special Land Use Permit public hearing for Guardian Training Academy at 8135 Cox's Drive Suite 207
- Approval of minutes from the May 7, 2026 Planning Commission meeting
Park Board
The Park Board will consider approval of the FY 26-27 Board Goals and receive updates from various committees including Bicycle, Youth Advisory, Cultural Arts, and the Portage Parks Foundation. Initiative reports on Lending Book Library, Park Passports, and Mr. Crispy Giveaway are also scheduled. The agenda includes routine approvals of minutes and financial reports.
- Approval of Board Goals for FY 26-27
- Financial Reports for May
- Bicycle Committee Update
- Portage Parks Foundation Report
- Mr. Crispy Giveaway initiative report
The Portage Park Board approved transferring the board's remaining balance to the Parks Department to close out FY2026. They also approved spending up to $400 for a Mr. Crispy Giveaway vendor and modified the Bike Committee line item to include the September 13 poker event as part of the FY 26-27 Board Goals. A motion to elect Louann Palmer as Treasurer was made but no vote outcome is recorded.
- Approved transfer of remaining board balance to Parks Department
- Approved spending up to $400 for Mr. Crispy Giveaway vendor
- Approved modification of Bike Committee line item to include September 13 poker event as part of FY 26-27 Board Goals
- Approved FY 26-27 Board Goals with the modification
- Approved agenda (procedural)
- Approved May meeting minutes (procedural)
Historic District Commission
The Portage Historic District Commission will consider unfinished business including a Certificate of Appropriateness for roof replacement at 6235 Oakland Dr, following last meeting's conditional approval. They will also review and potentially adopt the FY25-26 Goals and Objectives working document.
- 6235 Oakland Dr; Roof Application – continued discussion of shingle color for sunroom roof after conditional approval in May
- FY25-26 Goals and Objectives HDC – Working Document review
- Approval of May 6, 2026 meeting minutes
Environmental Board
The Environmental Advisory Board will meet to approve February meeting minutes, hear public comments, and receive subcommittee reports on the Green-a-thon, survey, and website. New business includes discussions on a waste management recycling tour and a water management tour. The agenda is largely procedural with no binding decisions or dollar amounts.
- Recognition of guests and former board members
- Report on My Green Michigan Food Compost trip
- Green-a-thon update from Events & Activities subcommittee
- Discussion of waste management recycling tour
- Discussion of water management tour
The Environmental Advisory Board approved its 2026 goals, which include reviewing Dark Sky International lighting policies and planning tours of the Waste Management Recycling Facility and Water Treatment Plant. The board also discussed the Green A Thon mosquito bucket challenge and website updates.
- Approved 2026 goals including Dark Sky lighting review
- Set agenda for June 10, 2026 meeting
- Discussed future tours of Waste Management Recycling Facility
- Discussed future tour of Water Treatment Facility
- Discussed Green A Thon mosquito bucket challenge
- Discussed website committee updates
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider two temporary use permits for outdoor food sales: barbecue at 5324 Meredith Street and Mexican food at 4824 West Milham Avenue. A third item (ZBA #25-05 at 3629 East Shore Drive) is listed but not detailed in the provided materials. The board will also elect officers and approve prior meeting minutes.
- ZBA #25-03: Request to operate J'Harvey's BBQ from a trailer at 5324 Meredith Street (May–Sep 2026, with option for 2027) – staff recommends approval for 2026 only.
- ZBA #25-04: Request to operate Mexican food sales from a temporary structure at 4824 West Milham Avenue (May–Nov 2026) – staff notes prior complaint and possible aesthetic concerns at a city gateway; board must judge harmony with district.
- ZBA #25-05: Listed for 3629 East Shore Drive but no details or staff report provided in the agenda packet.
- Election of officers for the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved temporary use permits for a barbecue at 5324 Meredith Street and Mexican food sales at 4824 West Milham Avenue, both by a 6‑0 vote. The board also postponed the variance request for 3629 East Shore Drive to the June 8 meeting. Earlier motions to excuse an absent member and to approve the November 10, 2025 minutes also passed unanimously.
- Approved Temporary Use permit for outdoor barbecue at 5324 Meredith Street (May 12–Sept 30 2026) – vote 6‑0
- Approved Temporary Use permit for Mexican food sales at 4824 West Milham Avenue (May 12–Nov 12 2026) – vote 6‑0
- Postponed variance request for 3629 East Shore Drive to June 8 meeting – vote 6‑0
- Excused absent board member – vote 6‑0
- Approved November 10, 2025 minutes – vote 6‑0
- Adjourned meeting – vote 6‑0
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a request for an additional accessory building space (detached screened-in building) at 5834 Angling Road. The meeting also includes approval of minutes from the April 16, 2026 meeting. No other business is scheduled.
- Public hearing for an additional accessory building space (detached screened-in building) at 5834 Angling Road
The Planning Commission approved a request for additional accessory building space for a detached screened-in building. The proposal included a presentation by the Senior City Planner and testimony from applicant Cathleen Knoll. No public comment was received during the hearing.
- Approved April 16, 2026, meeting minutes (5-0)
- Approved additional accessory building space for a detached screened-in building at 5834 Angling Road (5-0)
Park Board
The Portage Park Board will elect a new chairperson and vote to approve board goals for fiscal year 2026-27. They will also receive financial reports for March and April, along with updates from several committees and initiative projects such as the Lending Book Library and Park Passports.
- Vote for new chairperson of the board
- Approval of Board Goals for FY 2026-27
- Financial reports for March and April
- Updates on Lending Book Library, Park Passports, and Mr. Crispy Giveaway initiatives
- Discussion on park table theme
The board appointed Dr. Dawn Smith as chair, Jen Gomes as vice chair, and Angelique McGuire as treasurer by acclamation. The board voted to dissolve the arts committee as a subcommittee of the park board, and the motion passed. The agenda and April meeting minutes were approved. The discussion on the board table theme was deferred to the next meeting.
- Appointed Dr. Dawn Smith as Chair (by acclamation)
- Appointed Jen Gomes as Vice Chair (by acclamation)
- Appointed Angelique McGuire as Treasurer (by acclamation)
- Approved agenda (motion passes)
- Approved April meeting minutes (motion passes)
- Dissolved arts committee as subcommittee (motion passes)
- Deferred board table theme discussion to next meeting
Historic District Commission
The Historic District Commission will consider a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace the roof on the sunroom at 6235 Oakland Dr with black shingles, replacing dark green/grey. The commission will also elect officers for the coming year and receive an update on the May 12 City Council presentation.
- Certificate of Appropriateness for roof repair and shingle color change at 6235 Oakland Dr
- Election of officers for the Historic District Commission
- Update on May 12 City Council presentation
The Historic District Commission approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes (6-0). It conditionally approved the Certificate of Appropriateness for 6235 Oakland Dr, allowing three specific shingle colors (Georgetown Gray, Weathered Wood, Driftwood) with a 6-0 vote. The commission retained the same officer slate for the year, confirming VanLonkhuyzen as Chair, Nemeth as Vice Chair, and Deming‑Maytnier as Secretary (6-0). It also changed the July event venue from the Barn to Stewart Manor and set new dates for upcoming events.
- Approved April 1, 2026 minutes (6-0)
- Conditionally approved roof shingle colors for 6235 Oakland Dr (Georgetown Gray, Weathered Wood, Driftwood) (6-0)
- Retained officer slate for the year with VanLonkhuyzen as Chair, Nemeth as Vice Chair, Deming‑Maytnier as Secretary (6-0)
- Changed July event venue to Stewart Manor and set new event dates
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will continue a public hearing on Ordinance Amendment #25/26-3 to adopt Chapter 44 Residential Unified Development Ordinance, which updates zoning and housing regulations. They will also review a final planned development site plan for the River Caddis mixed-use project at 412 W. Centre Avenue and 7860 Shaver Road. Additionally, staff will present the Capital Improvement Program.
- Continued public hearing on Residential Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 44) to modernize zoning and expand housing options
- Final PD site plan for River Caddis mixed-use development at 412 W. Centre Avenue and 7860 Shaver Road
- Presentation on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
The Planning Commission voted 7-1 to recommend City Council adopt Ordinance Amendment #25/26-3, which creates a new Chapter 44 Residential Unified Development Ordinance and amends corresponding sections. The commission also unanimously approved a Final PD Site Plan for 'The Paisley at Portage Creek' mixed-use development at 412 W. Centre Avenue and 7860 Shaver Road, subject to eight conditions. Additionally, the commission accepted the Capital Improvement Program for the next fiscal year.
- Recommended Ordinance Amendment #25/26-3 (Residential Unified Development Ordinance) to City Council (7-1)
- Approved Final PD Site Plan for 'The Paisley at Portage Creek' mixed-use development with 8 conditions (8-0)
- Accepted the Capital Improvement Program (8-0)
- Approved March 19, 2026 minutes (8-0)
- Excused Commissioner Orwig from attendance (8-0)
- Reordered agenda to hear Site/Final Plans before Public Hearing (8-0)
- Closed public hearing on the ordinance amendment (8-0)