PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – People who buy homes in Portage’s new Stanwood Crossings neighborhood will have to comply with tougher standards than other homeowners, because it will be the city’s first land trust.
To cut the cost of purchasing the home, the city is retaining ownership of the land the homes will be built on. But the city council balked at the initial list of strings attached, and held a work session Tuesday to remove items they felt went too far.
They did approve restrictions on fencing and Land Trust approval for swimming pools and other outbuildings, and a ban on parking any truck in the driveway that requires a commercial driver’s license. They also set standards for the types of materials used for outdoor amenities.
When the rules were first proposed Portage Development Officer Peter Dame said they are needed since the city is retaining ownership of the land.
However, before approving the list, the city council removed a ban on yard signs and parking small commercial vehicles out front. They dumped a requirement that all homeowners submit a landscaping plan and added a statement permitting home occupations.
Council member Terry Urban says personally he still would prefer it if they treated this development and these homeowners the same way they treat all others.
But Urban voted for the proposal anyway in the spirit of compromise.
They began construction on the first of 42 homes that will be built in Stanwood Crossings last month, so it will be a while before the covenants go into effect.
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