Portage Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 2026
Portage Planning Commission Meeting - August 20, 2026
This was a regular evening meeting of the City of Portage Planning Commission. The commission approved two special land use permit applications and a site plan, as well as adopted the planning commission work program for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The meeting included public hearings on a daycare center expansion and an alternative landscaping screening for a proposed self-storage facility.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the August 6, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.
- Excusal of Commissioners: Commissioners Baldwin and Orwig were excused from the meeting by unanimous vote.
Public Hearings & Testimony
- Expansion of Child Daycare Center (9416 Shaver Road): No members of the public spoke. The applicant, who is the property owner and daycare operator, confirmed no historical issues with parking or traffic. The commission voted unanimously to approve the special land use permit and site plan.
- Alternative Landscaping Screening for Self-Storage Facility (1002 & 1006 Shuring Road): One member of the public, Doug Moinert (owner of the adjacent property to the east), expressed concerns about: drainage from the site onto his property, the type of fencing (preferring wood over chain link), the placement of proposed trees near his driveway, and potential 24-hour traffic and noise. The applicant clarified that the facility would not operate 24 hours. The commission also received a written comment from a neighboring greenhouse owner regarding outdoor lighting impacts, which the applicant stated they were working to address.
Discussion Items
- Special Land Use Permit and Site Plan – Child Daycare Expansion: Staff planner Eric Felt presented the proposal to expand the existing Little Explorers Learning Center by a 900-square-foot addition, upgrade the building facade, and add a new play area. The site is zoned I-1 Light Industrial. Staff determined the use is permitted and no negative impacts on neighboring uses are anticipated. The commission asked about parking and the existing tree buffer. The applicant noted no changes to parking are planned.
- Alternative Landscaping Screening – Self-Storage Facility: Staff explained that because the property abuts a residential use (the home at 922 Shuring Road), the zoning code requires a 6-foot-tall berm with landscaping. The applicant proposed an 8-foot-tall wood privacy fence with deciduous trees every 30 feet as an alternative, citing the narrow lot width. Staff supported the request due to the lot constraints, and because the fence would block views, noise, and headlight glare, while the trees would provide additional screening. The lighting plan was also reviewed and found to comply. Commissioners discussed the future land use map, the history of berm vs. fence preferences, and the adequacy of drainage plans. The commissioner noted that the stormwater detention basin is designed for a 25-year rainfall event.
- Planning Commission Work Program FY 25/26 and Proposal for FY 26/27: Staff presented a summary of accomplishments from the previous fiscal year, including implementation of the Lake Center District Corridor study, rezoning along Portage Road, and approval of several major housing projects (e.g., Center Port Apartments, River Caddis/Paisley project). The proposed work program for FY 26/27 focuses on completing the unified development ordinance (UDO), continuing implementation of the master plan, exploring zoning text amendments, and staff training. A commissioner noted the importance of tracking projects that were approved but never built. The work program was recommended for city council approval.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Special land use permit and site plan to expand the child daycare center at 9416 Shaver Road (unanimous).
- Approved: Alternative landscaping screening (8-foot wood fence with trees) for the proposed self-storage facility at 1002 and 1006 Shuring Road (vote 6-1, one opposed).
- Adopted: Planning Commission work program for fiscal year 2025-2026 summary and 2026-2027 proposal, to be forwarded to city council (unanimous).
- Commissioner provided information about a template data center ordinance being prepared for the Michigan Townships Association, to be shared with staff for future discussions.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome. At this time, I would like to call the order. This is the City of Portage Planning Commission. And it is Thursday, August 20th, 2026. At this time, if you're able, we would all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for Stan. One nation on your guide. Indivisible with liberty and justice for our bill. Thank you all very much. Next item would be the roll call. I'll start with Chair Cordini. Here. Vice Chair Baldwin will be absent tonight. Commissioner Urban. Here. Commissioner Adams. Here. Commissioner Cobb. Here. Commissioner Orwig will be absent tonight. Secretary Casisto. Here. Commissioner Miller. Here. And Commissioner Cruell. Here. And Commissioner Cop. Make the motion. I would like to make a motion to excuse Commissioners Baldwin and Orgwig. This evening. Motion made and second to excuse our commissioners. Baldwin and Orwig. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? All right. Next item on our agenda would be the approval of minutes. This would be from our August 6, 2026 meeting. Anyone with any comments, additions, deletions. All right. And like to make a motion to approve the August 6, 2026 meeting minutes as presented. I'll second them. Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from August 6, 2026. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Anyone oppose? All right. So the first item on our agenda under the public hearing this evening is a special land use permit and site plan to expand a child daycare center at 9416 Shaver Road.
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