City Council Looks at Portage Crossing Zoning Change

The heard one resident's objections to some of the Portage Crossing development plans during a public hearing portion of Monday's council meeting. 

Roger Williams of Elizabeth Court said he thought the changes to Portage Trail, including street parking, would only make traffic worse on Portage Trail and State Road.

This discussion came of heels of hearing a recommendation from Planning Director Fred Guerra to change parts of Portage Crossing's parcels that were zoned MU-4 (mixed-use "suburban corridor") to C-1 "Commercial District" to better conform with the actual land use that developer Stark Enterprises envisions.  

"What Stark Enterprises is asking is that we change the former State Road Shopping Plaza, just keep that commercial," Guerra said.   

The council voted on one item, an ordinance approving funding for the State Road improvement project from the Community Development Block Grant Fund.

The council heard first readings for several other projects, including an improvement project for Howe Avenue from Main Street to Buchholzer Boulevard; a rezoning proposal for a 23rd Street address; a contract to buy "Jaws of Life" rescue tool set; and a contract for the demolition and cleanup of debris from demolitions at various spots around the city. 

The next committee meetings will be Sept. 17.