On June 6, 2023, Portage City Mayor Patricia M. Randall, with the support of the Council, directed the City Manager to assist with the establishment of a Task Force dedicated to the collection of questions and concerns of residents directly affected by two proposed developments:
- Austin Landings: a large new residential development proposed by private developer Dale Kraker for a market rate development in the area bounded by Zylman Avenue, Sprinkle Road, East Shore Drive, and Highland Road to the north of Austin Lake; and,
- Portage Road/Lake Center Housing Development: a 14-acre city-owned parcel off Portage Road and Stanley Avenue that is proposed by the city to be developed for approximately 60-70 middle-income single-family housing units in partnership with city-selected developer AVB.
The task force shall be led by Councilmember Vic Ledbetter. In addition to Peter Dame, Chief Development Director, the task force shall include:
- Two residential representatives from the Austin Lake area
- Two residential representatives from the Portage Road/Stanley Avenue area
- Two residential representatives from the West Lake area
The six residential representatives were self-selected by residents of the neighborhoods. On June 20, 2023, the Portage City Council appointed the following individuals to the Lake Center District Task Force:
Stanley/Woodbine
- Zachary Mendham
- Derek Heath
Austin Lake
- Jim Kalleward
- John Taylor
West Lake
- Michael Cartier
- Mary Zoeller
The Lake Center Housing Task Force is assigned the following objectives:
- Shall be for fact-finding only
- Collect and record all questions and concerns
- The questions shall be presented to subject-matter experts for answers
- Shall meet privately until such time as all answers are received
- No votes will be taken
- Meeting schedule shall be determined by member availability
Published June 8, 2023, Modified June 9, 2023, Modified June 26, 2023, Modified July 6, 2023, Modified July 26, 2023.