Planning commission approves Ladybug Laundry site plan with utilities inspection contingency

The City of Portage Planning Commission on Aug. 4 approved a site plan for a new Ladybug Laundry subject to a contingency that Portage Utilities inspect the sanitary lateral connection. The petitioner, represented by Adam McAlpine of McAlpine Consulting, said the project will redevelop a parcel at the northwest corner of Sunrise and Willow Creek and that engineering matters including water, sewer and stormwater have been coordinated with city staff and the city engineer. McAlpine said the property required rezoning earlier in the process and that variances approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals were already in place. Commissioners questioned whether water or sewer work would interrupt traffic on Willow Creek. Staff and the petitioner said the water service will be bored under Willow Creek and that a sewer tap exists nearby; with the proposed connections the site will be self-contained and should not interrupt water service to adjacent properties. City staff advised that the sanitary tap should be exposed and inspected by Portage Utilities prior to final acceptance. The commission moved to approve the plans contingent upon Portage Utilities inspecting the sanitary lateral and confirming the tap; the motion passed on roll call with unanimous recorded support from commissioners present. Staff indicated that construction could proceed once City utilities’ inspection and any remaining engineering details are completed and a construction stormwater permit is obtained.