Portage Planning Commission Meeting - August 6, 2026

The Portage Planning Commission met on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The commission approved a special land use permit for a pet crematorium and granted two requests for additional accessory building space on large residential lots. Commissioners also discussed potential revisions to the city's accessory building ordinance. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Commissioners Cobbs and Cosisto were excused from the meeting.
• Minutes from the July 16, 2026 meeting were approved without modification.

Pet Crematorium Special Land Use Permit — 9340 Shaver Road, Suite B

Applicant testimony: The applicant, a franchisee of Pet Passages, described plans to establish a pet crematorium in an existing I-1 light industrial suite. Operations would primarily involve home pickup of deceased pets; a small mourning room would be available. The cremation equipment (manufactured by Keller) would meet national incinerator standards and is extremely clean-burning, with only a few seconds of visible smoke at startup. The manufacturer handles emissions licensing through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Commissioner questions: Commissioners asked about a required buffer (6-foot privacy fence with trees) between the industrial use and nearby residences, smoke stack height, noise levels (approximately 70 decibels), and disposal of unclaimed remains. The applicant confirmed the buffer would be installed and an EGLE license obtained.

Public hearing: No public comments were received.

Outcome: The commission approved the special land use permit and site plan subject to two conditions: (1) submission of an updated site plan showing the required northern buffer per Section 42-573, and (2) submission of a copy of an EGLE-approved emission license. (Motion passed unanimously.)

Accessory Building Expansion — 586 East Osterhout Avenue

Applicant testimony: The property owner requested approval to add two 10-foot-wide by 51-foot-deep lean-to wings to an existing pole barn, totaling 602 square feet of additional accessory space (proposed total accessory area: 1,020 square feet, exceeding the property's maximum of 418 square feet). The wings would be open on the sides to allow easy access for storing garden equipment and tractors.

Commissioner questions: A commissioner expressed concern that open-sided lean-tos could lead to visible storage of items, potentially triggering the city's blight ordinance. The applicant offered to enclose the side facing the private street. Discussion also noted the property's 4.35 acres, which meets the minimum for keeping horses, but the applicant stated no such intent.

Public hearing: No public comments were received.

Outcome: The commission approved the additional 602 square feet of accessory building space. (Motion passed unanimously.)

Accessory Building Expansion — 4430 Vanderbilt Avenue

Applicant testimony: The owner sought approval to construct a new 450-square-foot detached garage and to recognize three existing detached accessory buildings that came with the property (constructed in the 1980s). Total additional space requested: 3,194 square feet. The existing attached garage is too small for the owner's vehicle. The three existing buildings are used for workshops and parking. The applicant submitted letters of support from all four adjacent neighbors.

Commissioner questions: None.

Public hearing: No public comments were received.

Outcome: The commission approved the additional 3,194 square feet of accessory building space. (Motion passed unanimously.)

Commissioner Discussion

• Commissioner Baldwin observed that nearly all large-lot accessory building requests (those exceeding the maximum allowed by floor-area formula) are approved, suggesting a need to revise the ordinance to base allowances on lot acreage rather than home floor area. Other commissioners agreed that a survey of surrounding municipalities' practices could inform future amendments.
• Commissioner Urban thanked city staff and election workers for their professionalism.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Special land use permit and site plan for pet crematorium approved with two conditions (buffer plan and EGLE license).
• Additional accessory building space at 586 East Osterhout Avenue approved (602 square feet).
• Additional accessory building space at 4430 Vanderbilt Avenue approved (3,194 square feet).
• The commission will consider potential amendments to the accessory building ordinance at a future meeting.