[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,109],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6030561,"mediaKeyId","5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591","parentId",5516761,"title","Votes at a glance: key ordinances from the March Portage City Council meeting","audioSeconds",1588,"startMs",3360000,"endMs",4948000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591&start=3360&end=4948","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591/thumbnail_3360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6030561/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-key-ordinances-from-the-March-Portage-City-Council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030561-b5df1a635868a4001fc8d63c2404d202/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993448&Signature=dM4g9HGejs55UpnenIIA8oOGdgAXFVC4to7zUQ-X9vh4CLOvhDwCWewE95cd8xBoArBbuwnbHAyhyWm6EYiUbzvuXBCGNiJEEVc9ODzabYQI5CxF2vbnyHgv8xiSbJyX~2U3wg5TrG1whkd~-dPbfErtbKC7tVhxVpfrA4TW5nrqNB-nGYaE8mqeBe69iyfUlHoQqGZyRtck7AEwum4et2PashtO7BzmFnoTM2F1F-Gs5vweEBn6cOQp994gHkqKXmJLHKktqjpJwrbxMrEh6qIp2vymojOCW5sYXKOkYGMFehBCZAsA8jigO9AQLxbM1bE4tqXBmJGYvLQM5iUPFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portage, IN","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","At its March meeting the Portage City Council voted on a series of ordinances. Below are the motions, outcomes and available vote tallies.

Ordinance 24-34 — DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area)
Motion: Adopt Ordinance 24-34 establishing a DORA for downtown and Founders Square (as introduced).
Outcome: Failed by roll call.
Roll call: Ferdinand Alvarez — No; Melissa Weinbach — No; Hurst — Yes; Bob Parnell — No; Victoria Vasquez — No; Collins Zillie — Yes. Tally: Yes 2, No 4.

Ordinance 25-16 — Swanson Trails (R-2 to R-3)
Motion: Adopt Ordinance 25-16 (rezoning R-2 to R-3 as the first step toward a PUD).
Outcome: Approved by roll call. Tally: Yes 4, No 2.

Ordinance 25-17 — Swanson Trails (R-3 to PDR3)
Motion: Adopt Ordinance 25-17 (rezoning R-3 to PDR3).
Outcome: Approved by roll call. Tally: Yes 4, No 2.

Ordinance 25-18 — Swanson Trails PUD
Motion: Adopt Ordinance 25-18, the Swanson Trails PUD and development standards.
Outcome: Approved by roll call. Tally: Yes 4, No 2.

Ordinance 25-19 — Contractor licensing reforms
Motion: Adopt Ordinance 25-19 updating contractor/licensing rules and permitting processes to reduce barriers for small and startup businesses.
Outcome: Approved by roll call. Council recorded unanimous yes votes from recorded members present.

Ordinance 25-20 — Residential driveway composition (amendment to section 96.23)
Motion: Adopt Ordinance 25-20 restricting residential driveways (clarifies concrete requirement and separates residential/commercial standards).
Outcome: Approved (voice vote; all in favor).

Ordinance 25-21 — Board-up vendor list (fire department)
Motion: Amend Section 1(c) to set implementation deadline no later than March 25 and adopt ordinance establishing a board-up vendor list for fire-department use.
Outcome: Amendment adopted and ordinance adopted (voice votes).

Ordinance 25-22 — Consumer use of fireworks
Motion: Table Ordinance 25-22 for additional ordinance-committee review on enforcement and department responsibilities.
Outcome: Tabled (voice vote).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","COP City Council Mtg 03-04-25","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of ordinance votes at the March meeting: DORA failed; Swanson Trails PUD ordinances passed (25-16, 25-17, 25-18); contractor-licensing reform (25-19) passed; driveway material rule (25-20) passed; board-up vendor list (25-21) amended and passed; fireworks ordinance (25-22) tabled.","taxTitle","Portage City, Porter County, Indiana","taxId",53966,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6030566,"Police credit officers’ tourniquets and SWAT operation after shooting; fire department reports two fatal fires and ambulance crash injuries",287,5680000,5967000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591&start=5680&end=5967","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591/thumbnail_5680000.jpg","/articles/6030566/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Police-credit-officers-tourniquets-and-SWAT-operation-after-shooting-fire-department-reports-two-fatal-fires-and-ambulance-crash-injuries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030566-c12e47f82f42f3eec03440a8e4babc4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993448&Signature=NOlVYFeUBsdaWXibuuXgFOpX-Cqp~q8kBnc-MR4r-52U94vCVPHoqwyRvS1PIfBM5hAkzB8qYt3EkF8mPnghLd4ihi3JfDEQY8BJtok-d3yXolw5We1tAea0bQ-4NQCkAtsRKuNCvFyTJPFPO0QN09vwSSWCxClrmucnKBDmML7TeRNG9-O-sqVdJbvBUq0SimoHhaRcj0xvmya~AsVHLaiO~5gC7xbDGCLHTdvc5MxeeSxmRbGdLKQeZO0NLwzAJEppwz5XJIUEOSUEuqj-ZGtJCBpMXt10QHyf4puaGd~xPDb85sHO5YxgCt-WX9PZwO0puwZTJd8JsA-rvhSd-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portage police reported that officers responded to a shooting on the 300 block of Jacobs and provided immediate life-saving care before medical transport. According to the police briefing to council, a 28-year-old male sustained two gunshot wounds to the thigh and one to the wrist; officers applied tourniquets on the arm and leg and the fire department provided transport. Detectives developed a suspect lead overnight and located the suspect in Lowell the next day; after failed negotiations officers deployed gas, took the individual into custody and charged them with aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony, and noted multiple prior arrests and active warrants.

The mayor and council praised patrol and detective work, saying rapid on-scene treatment and coordination with neighboring agencies helped ensure a quick arrest. The police presentation thanked specific officers for immediate tourniquet application at the scene and credited cooperation from the Lowell Police Department in locating the suspect.

Fire Department Chief Crayle reported two recent fatal fires in the city and said those incidents have affected department personnel. The fire department also reported that on Feb. 12 an ambulance was involved in a head-on collision that injured three firefighters; two were treated and released and one remained off duty with minor injuries. Chief Crayle said larger, chassis-based ambulances likely reduced the severity of injuries.

Fire staff also noted a countywide dispatch system switchover that occurred that day; Deputy Chief Jeremy Hyman, Lieutenant Jordan (promoted at this meeting) and other fire staff worked on the transition. The fire chief said the department will provide fire-safety education at Jones School in April following the local fatal fires.

Councilmembers commended both departments for the rapid response and coordinated work on public safety.","Portage police described an overnight shooting incident in which officers applied tourniquets and later apprehended a suspect after a standoff; the fire department reported two recent fatal fires, an ambulance collision that injured three firefighters and a countywide dispatch system switchover.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6030570,"Clerk Treasurer says billing system change caused autopay confusion; liens deferred to allow arrangements",190,902000,1092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591&start=902&end=1092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591/thumbnail_902000.jpg","/articles/6030570/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Clerk-Treasurer-says-billing-system-change-caused-autopay-confusion-liens-deferred-to-allow-arrangements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030570-44786fa58486a7e95ec293d7ce6d13a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993448&Signature=M4nbYKsrC0oU8cfHZUzk~xHN4rPOIxUuGi9X9zg~VocuPY-rLvZ0aiciE~jvvxQgFiHZlDlfCUcICCEjFJkhEYztl35ehzhKR48FumU2dcqJAbBstTB6OLCGpHCdss6aUnhLo9A8qLD~bnrjpLxVf-b2rry2MPUY-1gaF3P86uHMDrhqM8bBk8nZU78AfE4cCQ92TzSCHbOkfnNqI86Vwko1cGM6K8eHtGc7xtkYtSqjA6UKBHwiy7OicQz4lfDRCTEHFX5PeADaA1xq0~tT5B2sYGtahT1gnDgffU6QhJhmceDcbrdJ8m5IXcgVPci7vfCgOomr~-bC~NNwkvdXxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clerk Treasurer Liz reported that a change to the city’s billing system, implemented in October 2024, caused confusion for some customers and interrupted previously set up autopay arrangements. The office said it had posted notifications on bills starting in August and on the city website and Facebook, and that staff would hold off on sending liens to residents with past-due balances to allow time for payment arrangements.

Clerk Treasurer Liz said the city was unable to transfer autopay authorizations to the new payment processor because the prior authorizations were granted only to the former processor; transferring them without explicit reauthorization could expose the city to liability for improperly debiting accounts. She told council members the previous system absorbed ACH convenience fees for a time, but the city no longer absorbs those fees; credit-card convenience fees are paid to a third-party processor and not retained by the city.

To reduce immediate hardship, staff said the city would not proceed with liens at this time for accounts with past-due balances over $150 and would offer a payment arrangement requiring customers to sign an agreement and make double payments until their balance is current. The clerk’s office also described new internal controls and a requirement that all department grant awards be recorded in the Clerk Treasurer’s Office and, for federal funds, reported on the city’s SEFA schedule.

Mayor Austin Banta thanked Clerk Treasurer Liz for the work and noted another blood drive and staff changes; councilmembers asked that the clerk’s office make outreach available for residents uncertain about the change. Clerk Treasurer Liz invited residents to contact the office for help arranging payment plans.","City Clerk Treasurer reported ongoing issues after an October 2024 switch to a new billing system. The office paused pursuing liens and offered payment-arrangement options after residents reported autopay and notification failures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":44,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":50,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6030575,"Council approves Swanson Trails PUD after revisions to preserve wooded open space",1585,4945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591&start=3360&end=4945","/articles/6030575/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Council-approves-Swanson-Trails-PUD-after-revisions-to-preserve-wooded-open-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030575-b5d43a24e417ee0389dab12d41160045/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993448&Signature=V5INkQQk-ZzsgKu~rX3mg-q5xeb15FrnFPpjSYGlUvucATk3e4DHJVO-SGvEmSuMLD1paaZNxm0VjKxpEyZd3giPccZvVvKbSajBavKJQtgn1sthAefMmlt4DE2ekDmLQ0cPgp9vPK0y4iB~IQ3j54LHgwiWVNnSSHpRK7yW6CUcOxHHg~pMsDh1TWsabXLqbX-pDswvhvKty4yN5UlnEb9VuVoe9GiCG3JH0LsovGhn7B4OXq3nF~DUTplIbB8S3DsqYXjWDG4C0e-UHOKUjWRWOQYwZOlvOhsSvF5ya6tU-~RCv7qfP9ZWWbaGFQfbrb8x3U9BfGSZ0iom8IuSJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portage City Council approved three ordinances (25-16, 25-17, 25-18) that collectively establish the Swanson Trails planned unit development (PUD) for about 80 acres at the northwest corner of 700 North and Swanson Road. The votes completed the statutory multi-step rezoning required by city code: R-2 to R-3 (25-16), R-3 to PDR3 (25-17), and adoption of the final PUD ordinance (25-18).

Todd Leith, representing petitioner Lennar Homes of Indiana, presented a concept plan that retains a large wooded area within the site, provides 26.6 acres of open space (about one-third of the parcel) and proposes 225 single-family detached lots in two lot-size ranges (50-foot and 63-foot widths). Leith said Lennar modified the plan after local outreach and plan commission review, reducing the lot count to preserve trees and shifting several lots to larger widths along the preserved woodland.

City staff and the developer emphasized the project’s design changes since the first outreach meetings: removal of a proposed 4-way stub road, additional tree preservation along Swanson Road and conversion of several lots from 50-foot to 63-foot widths adjacent to the woods. Lennar’s representatives said the PUD protects more trees than a straight, by-right subdivision would and aims to create trails and a small central park for residents.

Attorney comments and staff comparisons showed the proposed density (approximately 2.79 lots per acre) is lower than nearby subdivisions cited by staff; supporters argued the PUD offers better tree-preservation outcomes and site design than a by-right development. Council members who had raised concerns in earlier hearings — especially about multifamily uses and duplexes — noted the ordinance restricts the project to 100% single-family detached homes.

The three ordinances passed by roll-call votes (each 4–2 with the same recorded pattern of yes and no votes). Council members and developer representatives discussed next steps: detailed engineering, potential homeowners’ association (HOA) responsibilities for park/trail maintenance and the traffic review process (traffic-control devices and intersection treatments are handled by the traffic commission later in the approval pipeline).

Council members and staff said future points to address will include whether any portion of the park or trails should be accepted as a public park and, if so, how maintenance responsibilities and access would be handled.","The council adopted three related ordinances approving a planned unit development (PUD) for an 80-acre Swanson Trails site, stepping zoning from R-2 to R-3 and then to PDR/PUD; the developer and city said the plan preserves roughly one-third (about 26.6 acres) as open space and reduces the lot count to 225.",{"_33":110,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":111,"_41":112,"_43":113,"_45":114,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6030580,"Portage council rejects proposed 'DORA' for downtown and Founders Square",1958,1342000,3300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591&start=1342&end=3300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516761-298ebe5e61771d71a562b9eb464e4591/thumbnail_1342000.jpg","/articles/6030580/Portage-City/Porter-County/Indiana/Portage-council-rejects-proposed-DORA-for-downtown-and-Founders-Square","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6030580-1b335f2ca5ca58e34c01e594a09e4b04/orig.mp4?Expires=1770993448&Signature=WVpFOsP3~Ej8vqY~eDAtzCJV8hT0w7daqzX7CxBElFGppI0Mk7FJ2pB75s9C6mV6ZfwJV4AclV1KEQEg8FuKNo1MC~br40BZ-bdFXPSd-svWT2xoJpwEszhmaPhbSr9TQa4Vnoq3j~djw6wG4sso9OM2hgXKSTXDKRcCga~K~swybGJMX61O4h4NGpojkjc-q8qkbW1TL4VLmIfoOwm4Cped3CaRsr4uZGP6~ka1ZlJPPVE4943PogpyXYv5wCu66JeqxWcvDSQaKU9OerdxmEBxje-4hISzhrflTCdIAKm2YHmPw8KCdr9ypWY-4Y~odl8tox0I2OqRde0AbN1MMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portage City Council discussed and rejected Ordinance 24-34, a proposal to create a designated outdoor refreshment area (commonly known as a DORA) covering parts of the downtown mall and Founders Square. Mayor Austin Banta and parks staff outlined how the district would allow patrons to carry city-issued DORA cups between participating establishments and around market and event spaces.

The measure drew extended debate over hours, whether Sunday should be included and how the city would treat properties owned by the Redevelopment Commission (RDC). Mayor Austin Banta said the DORA would “allow our Portage Mall to be a place where if the restaurants and bars wanted to participate, it would allow for your movement between those establishments,” and that the ordinance could reduce the need for temporary fenced beer gardens at events.

Council members raised concerns about family-friendly areas and playgrounds. Councilwoman Penny Ambler moved to amend section 5 to restrict hours to Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and to remove Sunday from the operating days; that motion was discussed but the underlying ordinance was later considered as written (Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.). Assistant Park Director John Harrison warned the council that signage and property-owner approvals would be needed to mark the district’s boundaries and to keep certain RDC-owned properties off-limits. Harrison also said participation by bars and restaurants would be voluntary and venues would need to purchase the special DORA cups if they opted in.

Chief concerns cited on the council floor included the risk of increased public intoxication near playgrounds and ballfields, enforcement burdens on police, and uncertainty about how the RDC’s property policy would be enforced; council members debated whether the RDC should formally approve any DORA use on property it owns. Mayor Banta and parks staff said that the market on the square and special events were the primary intended uses in the near term and that the city already budgets for security at large events.

When the council took a roll-call vote, the ordinance failed. Councilman Ferdinand Alvarez and Councilwoman Melissa Weinbach voted no; Councilwoman Victoria Vasquez and Councilman Bob Parnell voted no; Councilperson Collins Zillie and Councilperson (name on record as Hurst) voted yes, resulting in defeat of Ordinance 24-34.

Council members and staff said the discussion clarified where agreements with the RDC and the parks department would be needed should the council revisit the proposal.

The mayor and staff suggested the DORA concept could return in a revised form after additional work on hours, signage and property-owner approvals.","The Portage City Council debated a proposal to create a designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) covering parts of the downtown mall and Founders Square but voted 4-2 against the ordinance after discussion on hours, Sunday inclusion and park/RDC property rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key ordinances from the March Portage City Council meeting

Police credit officers’ tourniquets and SWAT operation after shooting; fire department reports two fatal fires and ambulance crash injuries

Clerk Treasurer says billing system change caused autopay confusion; liens deferred to allow arrangements

Council approves Swanson Trails PUD after revisions to preserve wooded open space

Portage council rejects proposed 'DORA' for downtown and Founders Square