Committee defers decision on County Highway HH access request pending city rezoning

The Portage County Highway Committee voted to postpone indefinitely on a developer’s request for a new access at County Highway HH, saying the county will revisit the request after the City of Stevens Point completes rezone and site-plan approvals.

County staff summarized a traffic-impact analysis submitted with the application and noted the access proposal includes a full intersection east of Hoover Road plus right-in/right-out movements. The analysis was performed in phases and showed that a future, full build-out could meet a signal warrant at the HH intersection, although phase-one queuing did not indicate substantial delays without a signal.

Staff also noted county standards for arterial intersection spacing (a 1,000-foot standard that can be reduced). The developer’s proposed spacing was cited at roughly 850 feet, which staff said meets the reduced minimum. Staff advised that signal responsibility and long-term maintenance would be an agreement with the city if signals are required.

A committee member moved to postpone action indefinitely until the city’s rezoning and other approvals are final; the motion was seconded and the committee accepted the postponement. Committee members explained they preferred to see the city’s land-use approvals and any proposed uses that might increase traffic (committee discussion mentioned a potential gas station) before making a county access decision.

No formal county access permit was approved at the meeting; county staff will take no further action on the request until the city’s process is concluded and the matter is returned to the highway committee.