News Flash

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:

1. 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,
2. 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.

On June 20, 2023, the Portage City Council appointed the following individuals to the Lake Center District Task Force:

Stanley/Woodbine

1. Zachary Mendham
2. Derek Heath

Austin Lake

1. Jim Kalleward
2. John Taylor

West Lake

1. Michael Cartier
2. Mary Zoeller

The Lake Center Housing Task Force is assigned the following objectives:

1. Shall be for fact-finding only
2. Collect and record all questions and concerns
3. The questions shall be presented to subject matter experts for answers
4. Shall meet privately until such time as all answers are received
5. No votes will be taken
6. Meeting schedule shall be determined by member availability

The task force shall be led by Councilmember Vic Ledbetter.  In addition to Peter Dame, Chief Development Director, the task force shall include:

1. Two residential representatives from the Austin Lake area
2. Two residential representatives from the Portage Road/Stanley Avenue area
3. Two residential representatives from the West Lake area

The six residential representatives will be self-selected by residents of the neighborhoods.  Residents interested in serving on the task force should discuss this matter with their neighbors.  The names of the six selected residential representatives should be submitted to Mayor Patricia Randall via email at patricia.randall@portagemi.gov in advance of the June 20, 2023, City Council meeting.

1. Follow this link to view the video of the June 6, 2023, Portage City Council meeting.
2. Follow this link to view documents related to the Austin Landings development.
3. Follow this link to view information related to the Portage Road/Lake Center Housing Development.

Published June 8, 2023, Modified June 9, 2023, Modified June 26, 2023.