OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Portage Planning Commission Meeting, May 7, 2026

Planning Commission — Thursday, May 7, 2026
BodyPortage, Michigan
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, May 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 20:02

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good evening, everyone, and welcome at this time.

0:05

I call the order.

0:06

This is the City of Portage Planning Commission meeting.

0:09

It is Thursday, May 7, 2024.

0:13

At this time, if we could all please stand and we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:20

The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:36

Thank you all very much.

0:37

Next item on our agenda would be the roll call.

0:40

I will start with Chair Cordini.

0:42

Here.

0:43

Vice Chair Baldwin will be absent tonight.

0:46

Secretary Freiman.

0:48

Here.

0:49

Commissioner Adams.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Commissioner Kopp.

0:52

Here.

0:53

Commissioner Orwig, Commissioner Fries, and Commissioner Ladd will be all absent tonight.

0:58

Commissioner Crowwell.

1:00

All right.

1:02

Make a motion to excuse the absent Commissioners.

1:06

Second.

1:07

You want to name them for me.

1:12

Orwick.

1:15

Baldwin Freeze Orwig Lad.

1:18

Thank you for the assistance.

1:18

Thank you, Catherine.

1:19

Yes.

1:20

Motion stickler for them.

1:21

I'm a stickler for detail.

1:23

Motion made and supported.

1:25

All those in favor say aye.

1:27

Aye.

1:27

Anyone opposed?

1:28

All right.

1:29

Motion passes.

1:30

Next item on our agenda is the approval of minutes, and this would be from April 16, 2026.

1:37

Anyone with any comment?

1:40

I'll make a motion to approve the minutes as presented.

1:44

Motion made and second.

1:45

All those in favor say aye.

1:47

Aye.

1:48

Anyone opposed?

1:50

All right.

1:51

Minutes are approved.

1:54

Our next item is the public hearing, and this is for an additional accessory building space for a detached screened in building at 5834 Angling Road.

2:04

Mr.

2:05

Felt, the podium is yours, sir.

2:08

Thank you for the record.

2:10

My name is Eric Felt, Planner with the City of Portage.

2:14

And as the chair had indicated, the proposal in front of you is a request for an additional accessory building for a detached screened in building located at 40 58 34 Angling Road.

2:27

The property is located in the northwest part of Portage, just north of West Millam Avenue, as you see in the map, and west of the 131 intersection with uh West Millam Avenue.

2:41

As you zoom in into the neighborhood, you can see the subject property is generally larger than the abutting properties.

2:49

It is on the west side of Angling Road, where you'll see the lots along that road are generally larger than the lots to the further east and further west.

3:00

The properties to the further west or west of the site are in a platted subdivision.

3:06

You can see West Millam Avenue to the south.

3:11

As you look at the front of the subject property, you can see it's a single story house with a two-car attached garage.

3:19

Looking to the north, a similar styled single story house.

3:25

To the south of the property is another single story house, each with relatively larger front yards, both all along the west side of Angling Road.

3:35

Looking across the street to the east, you can see sort of similar style brick ranch homes, one story to sort of the northeast.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations█████████████████████████████████████████████62%
Procedural████████████████████28%
Community Engagement████5%
Public Engagement████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Portage Planning Commission Meeting

Note on date discrepancies: The transcript begins with "Thursday, May 7, 2024" but later references minutes from April 16, 2026. The user instruction specifies the meeting date as May 7, 2026. This summary uses the provided date of 2026 for the meeting date.

The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of minutes from April 16, 2026. Commissioners Baldwin, Fries, Orwig, and Ladd were absent and excused.

Public Hearing: Additional Accessory Building Space at 5834 Angling Road

Planner Eric Felt presented the request for an additional detached screened-in building measuring 20 by 16 feet (320 square feet) with a height of 14 feet. The property is two acres, and the maximum allowed accessory building space is 1,714 square feet (based on the house's main level of 1,714 square feet). Existing accessory buildings (attached garage, detached garage, and shed) total 1,626 square feet, leaving only 88 square feet of allowance. The proposed building exceeds this by 232 square feet, requiring commission approval. Staff noted the building is located far from adjacent houses and public streets, is one story, and will be screened by mature trees. Noise and activity are expected to be low and seasonal. The applicant stated they informed neighbors, with no objections received. No public comments were made.

Commissioners inquired about the height of the primary building (house) and the rationale for classifying the attached garage as an accessory building. Commissioner Evans expressed concern about including the garage in the calculation and suggested possibly switching to a lot coverage ratio. The motion to approve the additional 232 square feet of accessory building space was made and seconded, and passed unanimously (all ayes).

Opportunity for Statements

Mr. Felt provided updates on the unified development ordinance module two review and upcoming meetings. He also noted the successful election held the previous Tuesday, commending city staff and election workers. No other statements were made.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the request for additional accessory building space (232 square feet) for a screened-in building at 5834 Angling Road.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome at this time. I call the order. This is the City of Portage Planning Commission meeting. It is Thursday, May 7, 2024. At this time, if we could all please stand and we'll do the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Thank you all very much. Next item on our agenda would be the roll call. I will start with Chair Cordini. Here. Vice Chair Baldwin will be absent tonight. Secretary Freiman. Here. Commissioner Adams. Here. Commissioner Kopp. Here. Commissioner Orwig, Commissioner Fries, and Commissioner Ladd will be all absent tonight. Commissioner Crowwell. All right. Make a motion to excuse the absent Commissioners. Second. You want to name them for me. Orwick. Baldwin Freeze Orwig Lad. Thank you for the assistance. Thank you, Catherine. Yes. Motion stickler for them. I'm a stickler for detail. Motion made and supported. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right. Motion passes. Next item on our agenda is the approval of minutes, and this would be from April 16, 2026. Anyone with any comment? I'll make a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Motion made and second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right. Minutes are approved. Our next item is the public hearing, and this is for an additional accessory building space for a detached screened in building at 5834 Angling Road. Mr. Felt, the podium is yours, sir. Thank you for the record. My name is Eric Felt, Planner with the City of Portage.

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