Commission clears Lennar’s Swanson Trails final plan and secondary plat with standard contingencies

The City of Portage Planning Commission on Aug. 4 approved the final development plan and secondary plat for Swanson Trails, a Lennar Homes residential development, subject to standard contingencies including staff review of landscaping and recordation of easements and bonds. Todd Leath, an attorney representing Lennar, and company representatives told the commission the plan is the product of multiple rounds of public and staff review dating to late 2023 and that the city council previously adopted a rezoning ordinance in March that established the concept plan and preliminary development plan. Leath said the project’s concept was revised after public meetings to enlarge the stand of trees preserved along Swanson Road and to reduce curb cuts. The commission approved the final development plan on a motion with contingencies that landscaping plans be reviewed and approved by staff, a final development plan be recorded at the Porter County Recorder’s Office, off-site easement agreements with National Transmission be noted on the secondary plat, bonding be completed per the City of Portage Subdivision Control Ordinance and that required permits and fees be satisfied. Commissioners then approved the secondary plat with the same list of contingencies except for the landscaping review, which is not required for recording. The petitioner’s attorney thanked the commission and noted the project had been adjusted after neighborhood input and an informal citizen meeting that involved the mayor and neighbors. The approvals clear the way for recordation and subsequent construction activities once the listed contingencies are satisfied by the developer and confirmed by staff.