Council places Portage Road Leo Living zoning item on file; preliminary plat rejected

The Common Council on March 11 handled two related agenda items for the Leo Living proposal at 6303 Portage Road and 4821 Hepker Road: the rezoning file was placed on file without prejudice and the city rejected the preliminary plat.

Staff and applicant presentations described the site as adjacent to Portage Road and noted neighborhood plan language about an intermittent stream nearby. The applicant representatives told the council the project would provide missing‑middle housing and would enhance on‑site natural features and stormwater management when fully designed. One applicant representative also noted future landscaping and pocket parks in detailed site plans to come.

Staff said the site is eligible but not in a “preferred” area for the city’s affordable housing fund and noted unresolved questions about whether the project would come with tax credits and how that would affect fund eligibility. The Plan Commission and staff raised issues about when detailed design elements — including natural resource protection and stormwater details — would be clarified as the project advances.

On the motions before the council, members moved to place the rezoning request on file without prejudice and to reject the preliminary plat; the council recorded those actions and staff will carry forward the referrals noted in the meeting minutes.

The council noted that additional work on stormwater, natural feature enhancement, and coordination with staff would need to occur if the project returns for future approvals.

Votes at a glance: rezoning (place on file without prejudice) — recorded per recommendation; preliminary plat (reject) — recorded per recommendation.