The City of Kalamazoo is seeking input from residents to inform design decisions for a project to calm traffic on Westnedge Avenue and Park Street.

This project focuses on Westnedge Avenue and Park Street between Dunkley Street (north city limit) and Crosstown Parkway, a section that crosses the Northside, Downtown, and Vine neighborhoods and is adjacent to the Stuart neighborhood.

This project is a first step to better serve all users while long-term street design and construction planning work is underway, such as converting one-way streets downtown to two-way traffic. The City’s goal through this project is to implement short-term, immediate improvements to reduce speeding, create streets that allow all users to travel safely and comfortably, support economic vitality by removing transportation challenges, and align streets with the character of the neighborhood.

Residents can share their input online on the Open Town Hall Platform through Tuesday, August 17 at https://www.opentownhall.com/11008

For more information and other input opportunities please visit the Imagine Kalamazoo project page at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/westnedgepark

On Monday, November 2 the Kalamazoo City Commission approved zoning updates for downtown Kalamazoo. These updates will go into effect on November 12, 2020.

To learn more about this project visit www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/downtownzoning

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed updates to the Natural Features Protection (NFP) Overlay District and related zoning code standards at its meeting on Thursday, November 5 at 7 p.m. If the proposal is recommended by the Planning Commission, it will move for final review and adoption by the City Commission before taking effect. 

The proposed amendments to Chapter 50, Article 6 of the Zoning Code are intended to clarify the interpretation and application of the ordinance. The zoning map revisions would expand the protected areas within the NFP Overlay District to include additional areas identified to have important natural features.

Public comments can be submitted online at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2. Comments will also be accepted for the Planning Commission public hearing by phone on November 5 by calling 269-226-6573 and leaving a message between 6:30 p.m. and the end of the public hearing. Comments recorded by phone will be played during the public hearing. Comments provided online will be provided to Planning Commissioners but not read during the meeting.

To learn more, you can watch the virtual town hall and find a summary FAQ document as well as draft documents at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2

The Kalamazoo City Commission will hold a public hearing on proposed zoning updates for downtown Kalamazoo at its meeting on Monday, November 2. If approved, the updates would divide downtown from one large zoning district into three smaller and more focused districts. Multiple districts will allow for standards that support the right type and scale of development in each area while also being able to better link buildings and uses with streets and other public spaces. The goal of these updates is to create a zoning code that is clear and easy to understand, creates predictable outcomes for development, and ultimately help to achieve the community’s vision for Downtown.

You can read more about this project and how the updates would help realize the vision of Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/downtownzoning

The City of Kalamazoo will host a virtual town hall on Wednesday, October 28, at 6 p.m. to discuss updates to the City’s Natural Features Protection (NFP) Overlay District and related zoning code standards. City staff will give a presentation and be available to answer community questions about the project, which would expand protected areas in the city and clarify the NFP requirements. The town hall will be streamed live to the City’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

Community members are invited to submit questions for discussion before the town hall by emailing [email protected], posting on the Facebook event page, or by calling 269-226-6573 and leaving a recording anytime on October 28. Questions can also be submitted by commenting on the live stream during the town hall.

Proposed updates would add additional areas to the NFP Overlay District map and minor amendments to the ordinance text, which were originally approved in 2019. New and additional areas that are being considered for protection were identified through a mapping analysis and community input. Geographic Information Systems and spatial analysis were used to review slope areas, tree canopy coverage, wetlands, and waterways. Community input was collected through a mapping activity and comments on draft maps. The NFP Review Board and City staff also reviewed site plans and variance requests that came before the board over the past year to determine if the implementation of the standards was fulfilling the intent of the ordinance. As a result, a handful of text amendments to the ordinance are also recommended to clarify the standards as well as improve their application and outcomes.

On October 13 the NFP Review Board voted unanimously to recommend the amendments to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will review the proposed zoning updates at their next meeting on Thursday, November 5. If recommended by the Planning Commission, the proposal would go before the City Commission for final review and adoption.

The NFP ordinance and overlay district work to support the City’s goals in housing and economic development, while protecting the important ecosystem benefits natural features provide to the community. The ordinance does not stop development but requires thoughtful consideration and design to protect existing natural features on a site. Draft documents and additional information is available at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2

Planning Commission Approves Downtown Zoning Updates

Updates to the zoning code for downtown Kalamazoo moved a step closer to adoption with approval from the Planning Commission at its meeting on October 1. The proposal was approved with two amendments: adjusting lot types to permit no maximum height in Downtown 1 and Downtown 2 Districts; and adjusting lot types to require a two-story minimum height in the Downtown 3 District. 

City Commission First Reading on Monday, October 26

With a recommendation from the Planning Commission, the proposed updates will be presented to the City Commission for approval and adoption. Approval will occur over the course of two meetings- the updates will be presented for a first reading on Monday, October 26 before a public hearing and vote at a meeting to follow.  Meeting Notice for October 26 City Commission Meeting

You can read more about this project and how the updates would help realize the vision of Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/downtownzoning.

At the September 29 Natural Features Protection (NFP) Review Board meeting, staff presented information on the NFP Phase 2 project including information on the mapping analysis, community input, and proposed updates to the NFP overlay map. The board decided to schedule a special meeting in October for further review of the map and text amendments to the ordinance. A recording of the 9/29 meeting is available at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2

The special meeting of the NFP Review Board will be held on Tuesday, October 13 starting at 4:00 PM. Information on how to access this virtual meeting and leave public comment can be found here: www.kalamazoocity.org/notices. The board will review the latest draft of the NFP Overlay District, which was updated after the September 29th meeting to reflect recommendations from the public the board agreed should be included on the map. You can download a PDF copy of the map, use the interactive web map, and leave a comment here: www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2

(Note: the green solid color represents what the new NFP overlay district would look like in its entirety once adopted by City Commission; you can distinguish the current overlay district which is shown in orange/dotted parcels and the expansion areas proposed to be added are shown in pink/hatched lines).

The next steps for this project will be to:

• Mail notice letters to all of the parcel owners being added to the overlay district
• Hold a virtual townhall to provide background and answer questions (October 28 at 6:00 PM – full information is at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2 )
• Present the map to the Planning Commission at their next regular meeting scheduled for November 5

The next step in the process for the Downtown Zoning Code Update project will be Planning Commission review on Thursday, October 1. Project information including draft documents are available on the Imagine Kalamazoo project page.

Planning Commission on October 1

The Planning Commission will be reviewing the proposed zoning updates at their next meeting on Thursday, October 1 at or after 7 p.m. Due to COVID-19 this public meeting will be held electronically and streamed live on the City's Facebook page and YouTube Channel. Public comments can be made on October 1 between 6:30 p.m. and the end of the public comment period by calling (269) 226-6573 and leaving a recording.

Full Details

Virtual Town Hall

In case you weren't able to join us virtually last Thursday for the Downtown Zoning Virtual Town Hall, a recording of the town hall and presentation slides, as well as a summary of questions and answers are available on the Imagine Kalamazoo project page: Virtual Town Hall Recording & Documents

Updated Draft Map for Community Review

Thank you to everyone who has shared their input on mapping natural features for protection. As a result of community input, City staff are recommending 47 additional parcels be added to the Natural Features Protection (NFP) Overlay district.

The updated draft NFP map with these parcels added is now available online. You can review the map and share any comments or input you have at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2 Comments and input will continue to be collected on the project page up until the Planning Commission meeting on November 5.

NFP Board Review on September 29

The draft map will be reviewed and considered for recommendation by the Natural Features Protection Review Board at their meeting on Tuesday, September 29 at 4 p.m. Due to COVID-19 this public meeting will be held electronically and streamed live on the City's Facebook page and YouTube Channel. Public comments can be made on September 29th between 3:30 p.m. and the end of the public comment period by calling (269) 226-6573 and leaving a recording.

Meeting Agenda: https://www.kalamazoocity.org/docman/boards-commissions/natural-features-protection-review-board/6787-natural-features-protection-review-board-agenda-september-29-2020/file

Meeting Notice: https://www.kalamazoocity.org/news/700-electronic-meeting-notice-natural-features-protection-review-board-september-29-2020

Thank you to everyone who has shared their input on Downtown zoning. Based on this input we have prepared a draft zoning map, code, and tables for review. The next steps will be a virtual town hall on September 24, followed by Planning Commission review on October 1.

Draft Documents: www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/downtownzoning

Downtown Zoning Virtual Town Hall on September 24

We will be hosting a virtual town hall on Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m. to answer questions and discuss the proposed updates to the zoning code downtown. The town hall will be streamed live to the City’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

We invite you to submit questions for discussion before the town hall by emailing [email protected], posting on the Facebook event page, or by calling (269) 226-6573 and leaving a recording starting at 12p.m. on September 24. Questions can also be submitted by commenting on the live stream during the town hall.

Planning Commission on October 1

The Planning Commission will be reviewing the proposed zoning updates at their next meeting on Thursday, October 1 at or after 7 p.m. Due to COVID-19 this public meeting will be held electronically and streamed live on the City's Facebook page and YouTube Channel. Check www.kalamazoocity.org/notices for meeting details and information on providing public comment.

What natural areas are important to you? Is there a place you visit to enjoy some peace and quiet or a place that you enjoy watching wildlife? Let us know by pinning those spots on the draft Natural Features Protection map at www.opentownhall.com/9337

The deadline to submit input is Friday, September 18. All public feedback will be reviewed and considered for inclusion in the final map recommendation by the Natural Features Protection Review Board at the September 22 board meeting, which will be held virtually and is open to the public.

The vision of the Natural Features Protection Ordinance and Overlay District is to achieve long-term protection and management of Natural Features for public enjoyment and environmental health. More information on this project is available on the Imagine Kalamazoo project page.

As always, thank you for your input!

Thank you for sharing your comments on downtown zoning this summer! This feedback has been incorporated into a draft zoning map, which is available for review and comment. Take a moment to review the proposed districts and permitted uses downtown! The deadline for feedback is Tuesday, September 8.

If you haven’t already, please be sure to share your input on Downtown zoning. Your input will help us create a zoning code for Downtown that matches the community’s vision.

• Mapping Activity: Complete a short mapping activity to review and share feedback on proposed zoning maps.
• Development Project Survey: If you have opened a business or developed a building Downtown, share you feedback on the review and approvals process you went through for you project(s).

The goal of this project is to create a zoning code that is clear and easy to understand, creates predictable outcomes for development, and ultimately help to achieve the community’s vision for Downtown. More information on this project is available here. You can also provide feedback by calling 269-226-6524.

As always, thank you for your input!

Hello!

We have recently launched two new surveys on the Open Town Hall platform to collect input for the Downtown Zoning Code Update. Your input will help us create a zoning code for Downtown that matches the community’s vision.

• Mapping Activity: Complete a short mapping activity to review and share feedback on proposed zoning maps.
• Development Project Survey: If you have opened a business or developed a building Downtown, share you feedback on the review and approvals process you went through for your project(s).

The goal of this project is to create a zoning code that is clear and easy to understand, creates predictable outcomes for development, and ultimately help to achieve the community’s vision for Downtown. More information on this project is available here.

The second phase of engagement for this project will look more specifically at the zoning standards including a discussion on permitted uses, marihuana business locations, building height, and parking. Later this summer, the standards and maps will be combined into a complete draft for the community to review and confirm before being discussed at Planning Commission and City Commission this fall.

You can also provide feedback by calling 269-226-6524. As always, thank you for your input!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the  Imagine Kalamazoo process. The Draft Master Plan is available for your review and comment. Please click here to view a copy and add your comments via Open Town Hall.

In addition to being online, the document can also be found at all City library branches, City Hall, City Offices at Stockbridge, neighborhood association offices, WMU student center, Kalamazoo College library, KVCC-Anna Whitten Hall, Station 702, and Walnut & Park.

The comment period runs through Friday, September 15th at 11:59PM. Comments can be made directly online by clicking here, on the comment sheets provided with each paper copy, or by emailing Christina Anderson, City Planner at [email protected].

Thank you,

City of Kalamazoo Staff

We need your help!  City Staff want to know what your definition of a complete neighborhood is!  

Considering IK 2025 feedback and best practices information, five criteria stand out as elements of Kalamazoo’s definition:

• Ability to meet daily needs
• Access to parks and open space
• Walkability
• Access to transit and bicycle networks.
• Access to food

Help us define what a complete neighborhood in Kalamazoo looks like to you!

Hello!  Thank you for subscribing to receive announcements from Open Town Hall.  We wanted to notify everyone that the Draft Master Plan is online and accepting public comment!  We want to hear from you!  The plan can be seen here, and your comments can be submitted through Open Town Hall (click on the read more link to access) through September 15th.

Thank you! 

City of Kalamazoo Staff

Hello!  Thank you for subscribing to receive announcements from Open Town Hall.  We wanted to notify everyone that the Draft City-Wide Strategic Vision is online and accepting public comment!  We want to hear from you!  The plan can be seen here, and your comments can be submitted through Open Town Hall (click on the read more link to access).

Thank you! 

City of Kalamazoo Staff