Master Plan Update (July 2023)
At a special meeting on June 28, the Planning Commission reviewed an outline of a vision statement and key recommendations for the city’s Master Plan update that is currently underway. The Master Plan is an important document for municipalities in Michigan as it serves as a guide for future infrastructure, public space and park investments, and land uses.
The City of Portage Master Plan update is about halfway through the planning process. At each stage of development of the updated plan, the city will post information on the project webpage and actively encourage continued input from Portage residents, businesses owners, property owners, community organizations, and all stakeholder with an interest in the future of the city. The presentation as well as the memorandum providing the draft outline for the Master Plan is available online for review and comment at this LINK .
Work will continue over the next several months on detailed subareas plans for the Crossroads Subarea as well as the City Centre Subarea. These are sections of the city receiving special attention during this Master Plan update. More detailed chapters of a draft Master Plan will also be crafted for future review. These chapters will be based on the sections contained in the outline previously reviewed on June 28 by the Planning Commission. In addition to the city accepting public comments throughout the process, there is an extended 63-day period for public review of the final draft document. After the mandatory review period, a formal public hearing must be held, and comments considered before adoption of the plan. The City of Portage hopes to complete this process in the spring of 2024. The Master Plan was last updated in 2014.