Plan Commission hears two concept multifamily proposals from Lynn Properties; commissioners flag density and access concerns

Lynn Properties presented concept plans June 16 for two potential multifamily developments in Portage — one on a 7.39‑acre Henry Drive extension site and one on a 5.4‑acre site north of Lennon Street and New Pinery Road — and the Plan Commission discussed density, access and infrastructure but took no formal action.

Developer representatives Robert Roth (Roth Professional Solutions) and Richard Lynn described the concepts as preliminary. The commission was shown layouts that included, at maximum, two four‑story buildings on each site and parking solutions that could include below‑grade parking. The Henry Drive parcel was described as having a single egress via a Henry Drive extension; the New Pinery/Lennon site concepts showed multiple ingress options, including two connections to New Pinery Road and an optional connection to Lennon Street.

The developer characterized the concepts as high‑density illustrations; at one point staff and the developer discussed a notional maximum of about 194 units on a site, and density figures presented to the commission were approx. 26 and 36 units per acre for the two concepts. The developer also noted an estimated combined construction cost of about $48 million and said the proposals could generate nearly $1 million in immediate tax value; the developer acknowledged TIF (tax‑increment financing) could be requested.

Commission discussion focused on three areas: 1) density and community response — several commissioners cautioned that the New Pinery site, at the densities presented, is likely to attract community pushback and noted that high‑density proposals will require Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval and a public hearing; one commissioner said "26 and 36 units per acre and four stories will receive some pushback from the community."; 2) traffic and access — commissioners and staff repeatedly urged avoiding new direct drives onto New Pinery Road; some suggested redirecting traffic to Lennon Street or exploring an off‑Collins access in coordination with Madison College to reduce turning conflicts near the school and the New Pinery corridor; the fire chief asked about secondary egress and turnaround requirements for emergency access; 3) infrastructure and approvals — staff said the Henry Drive extension could be negotiated under TID resources but that any street extension or utility work could reduce the amount of TIF funds available for other improvements; the developer said water pressure, underground parking, and compliance with FAA height restrictions near the airport would be studied in later design phases.

No vote or formal application was presented; commissioners asked the team to return with more detailed preliminary site plans if they want formal action. Staff cautioned that because the proposed densities would exceed base R5 zoning in places, any final designs would likely proceed as Planned Unit Developments and would require City Council approval and public hearings. Several commissioners suggested the Henry Drive concept was less likely to attract opposition than the New Pinery/Lennon scheme.

The presentation is a conceptual review only; the commission recorded comments for the developer and staff and scheduled no further action at the meeting.