A big 'thank you' to everyone who has signed and shared the petition! This past Monday was supposed to be the public hearing for the proposed development before the Planning Commission, but the hearing was postponed until the January 6th meeting 6:30pm at City Hall. Mayor Bonta did hold an impromptu meeting in his office and it was helpful to hear more from him about the process and especially great to meet everyone who came out to voice concerns over the project. The NWI Times wrote an article on the meeting, the proposed development and our efforts to preserve the woodland: https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/portage-planning-zoning-subdivision/article_abdf88f2-b19c-11ef-9aad-af601e84756a.html 

It was clear from the meeting with Mayor Bonta that contacting the City Council is more important. They will vote on the proposed development likely the day after the public hearing and there is no additional hearing in front of the Council to make our case. The only way the woodland can be saved is if: 1. the Council votes against the rezoning AND someone purchases the property and preserves it; or 2. the developer agrees to preserve the woodland as part of the planned development (this could happen with or without negotiation and pressure from the Council). 

So, before the New Year, here are a few things you can do:

1. If you haven't already, submit comments to the Planning Commission, requesting that they defer a vote until an agreement can be reached to preserve the woodland or vote against rezoning and the proposed development plan. Comments can be submitted to Tom Cherry, Executive Secretary, tcherry@portage-in.com.
2.  Email the City Council, requesting that they use all their leverage and influence to get agreement from the developer to preserve the woodland. And, short of this agreement, that they vote against rezoning and the proposed development plan. The Council members that represent our area are: Penny Ambler (pambler@portage-in.com), Melissa Weidenbach (mweidenbach@portage-in.com), and Ferdinand Alvarez (falvarez@portage-in.com). Additionally, you can include the rest of the council at these email addresses: ggiesehurst@portage-in.com , rparnell@portage-in.com , vvasquez@portage-in.com , cczilli@portage-in.com.
3. Email the attorney and acquisition manager for the developer, Todd Leeth at todd@leeth.law, and Todd Kleven at Todd.Kleven@Lennar.com, requesting that Lennar Homes rework the development plan to preserve the entire woodland.

Thanks for all your efforts and may you have a very happy holiday season!