Councilmember· 2023-11-14 – 2027-11-08 (sworn at the 30th City Council seating on November 14, 2023 per the CivicClerk minutes; term ends November 8, 2027 per the citys council vacancy notice on the council page; on council since 2017 per the city page, earlier service not sourced)
Chris Burns
Portage
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 21
- Total speaking time
- 1:26:08
- Avg per meeting
- 4:06
- Segments
- 931
Want every word Burns has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Burns said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (12)(Development)
1706 West Centre brownfield redevelopment
Denser development could boost the city's tax base and local business activity, but it may also bring new infrastructure and service costs that taxpayers should watch.
Industrial warehouse development on East Millam Avenue
The use will have a low demand on city water and sewer, and stormwater facilities will be privately maintained, so little cost to the city.
Childcare expansion on Shaver Road
Lake Center corridor revitalization
Firestone development traffic and single access road
No direct city cost identified, but residents want a traffic signal and road repairs that could cost the city or county.
River Caddis mixed-use development (The Paisley at Portage Creek)
Private development; conditions require recorded stormwater agreements and state approvals at the developer's expense.
Stanwood Crossings Workforce Housing Phase II
Up to $500,000 in additional Capital Improvement Fund balance committed.
Copperleaf Phase 6 housing development
Up to about $5.8 million in tax capture over 20 years that would otherwise go to taxing jurisdictions.
affordable housing approval
For residents, more affordable units could ease pressure on rents and home prices, but the source doesn’t specify public subsidies or per-unit costs.
developer neighborhood meetings policy
Taxpayers probably won’t see a direct bill, but developers could face added time and meeting costs that may get folded into project budgets.
land donation / park development
The land itself costs taxpayers nothing, though any trail design, construction, and maintenance would still need funding.
development moratorium
The pause could delay potential tax revenue and investment from data centers or battery storage projects, while developers may face added carrying costs.
Decisions during term (8)
Recorded while Burns was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Receive the 1706 West Centre Brownfield Redevelopment Plan Application for 1706 West Centre Avenue, Portage, MI, and set a public hearing for November 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as may be heard for consideration of…
Accept the application for an industrial facilities tax abatement from Depatie Fluid Power Company for shared property located at 5960 S. Sprinkle Road, Suite 1, under the existing Industrial Development District 97, and set a public…
Accept the application for an industrial facilities tax abatement from Milham Corners LLC for shared property located at 5960 S. Sprinkle Road, Suite 2, under existing Industrial Development District 97, and set a public hearing on the…
Adopt Ordinance Amendment #25/26-3 — Residential Unified Development Ordinance
Confirmation of City Manager appointment to the Downtown Development Authority
Receive Ordinance Amendment #25/26-3 — Residential Unified Development Ordinance; set public hearing for June 23
Recommend adoption of the Residential Unified Development Ordinance (RUDO)
Public hearing on Ordinance Amendment 25/2063 — Residential Unified Development Ordinance
Voting record (2)(Development)
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