The City of Portage is creating a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to modernize its existing zoning, subdivision, and condominium development codes. The UDO aims to establish a cohesive framewo

The City of Portage is creating a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to modernize its existing zoning, subdivision, and condominium development codes. The UDO aims to establish a cohesive framework to guide Portage’s growth and development for years to come. It will implement key recommendations from the recently adopted Portage Forward Together 2045 Master Plan, including allowing more flexibility in meeting the city’s housing needs while protecting the character of neighborhoods and the environment. It will address land use issues and challenges such as the city’s current patchwork of development ordinances and zoning districts (some of which date back to the 1960s). The UDO will incorporate best practices and tools recommended by the State of Michigan for local government zoning and land use regulations.Some of the key changes proposed include allowing for smaller lot sizes and setbacks in residential areas and a wider variety of housing types. Narrower residential streets and curves are recommended to leave more room for housing lots and as standard for new public and private residential streets. The city has also proposed creating an incentive for preserving natural areas or green space in larger new developments by providing flexibility to cluster homes and use a variety of low-density housing types.To facilitate this work, the city has partnered with zoning experts from Kendig Keast Collaborative (KKC) to craft the UDO standards and illustrations. A Technical Committee consisting of members with knowledge of and experience working with the city’s existing regulations was formed from the beginning of the project to provide technical assistance and review. During 2025, the city provided presentations to the public, Planning Commission, and Technical Committee to present critiques and new information, receive feedback, and provide progress reports.The Unified Development Ordinance project will be accomplished in two sections, first the review of all the residential standards and procedures. After those changes are considered by the Planning Commission and Council, the section addressing all the commercial and mixed-use zoning districts will be considered. The intent is to have the whole UDO project completed later of this year.