Phase 1 of the Natural Features Protection project is complete. For updated information on the Natural Features Protection Project, please visit the Phase 2 project page at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/nfp2
APPROVED OVERLAY DISTRICT & MAP
OVERVIEW
The Natural Features Protection Ordinance and Development Standards would put in place a guide for the development of land on or near areas identified as Natural Features in order to achieve the long-term protection of these areas. The IK 2025 Master Plan defines Natural Features as “an area with existing natural features, including creeks, floodplains, stands of large trees, and slope that should be protected through such methods as conservation easements or land acquisition”. The Master Plan also maps Natural Features as an overlay on the Future Land Development Map.
The action items in the 2025 Master Plan require that the City work with property owners, key stakeholders, and conservation-minded organizations to achieve the long-term protection of these areas for such ends as public enjoyment and environmental health. Development that occurs near these designations will need to complete a thorough analysis of the natural features and the proposed project in order to mitigate potential negative impacts. The specifics of this analysis require review checklists, data, and standards that do not currently exist in the Zoning Ordinances or Site Plan Review Process.
In 2018, a technical steering committee was formed to assist with recommendations, policy development, and further mapping of Natural Features, setting the groundwork for the NFP ordinance and standards. The technical steering committee will continue to meet into 2019 to guide and support City efforts on Natural Features Protection. Further outreach is necessary with the wider community prior to finalizing the policy. This outreach will follow the Public Participation Plan developed during Imagine Kalamazoo to ensure the community’s ability to review and provide input.
PROJECT MANAGER:
Jamie McCarthy, Development Project Coordinator, mccarthyja@kalamazoocity.org
Christina Anderson, City Planner, andersonc@kalamazoocity.org
OBJECTIVES:
Work with the community, technical experts, and developers to create and adopt a Natural Features Protection Ordinance and Sustainable Development Standards
Ensure natural features within the city are protected long term for the enjoyment of the public and health of the environment – with special focus on properties being developed or redeveloped
Collaborate with neighborhood associations and residents to develop a strategy that encourages best management practices on private property and incorporate natural features protection into neighborhood plans.
SCHEDULE:
Early 2018 – Technical Steering Committee formation & meeting
December 2018 – City Commission Adoption of six month Natural Features Protection Moratorium Resolution; Public Participation Plan
January 2019 – April 2019 – Technical Committee Meetings
February 2019 – Focus Group Meetings
City Staff will be holding four focus groups to present, discuss, and revise the draft ordinance with the community. The four focus group meetings are dedicated to different stakeholder groups in the community. The first focus group is for environmental and conservation organizations, the second and third focus groups are for Kalamazoo residents. (Residents can attend either of these two neighborhood meetings.) The fourth focus group is for the developer and construction community.
Environmental & Conservation Organizations
2/20/2019
4:30 PM (part of regular Environmental Concerns Committee meeting)
Community Room (2nd Floor City Hall), 241 West South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Neighborhoods Meeting, West Side
2/20/2019
7:00 PM (part of regular ODWNA monthly meeting)
Winchell Elementary Cafeteria, 2316 Winchell Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Neighborhoods Meeting, East Side
2/27/2019
6:00 PM
Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood Association Building, 1301 E. Main St., Kalamazoo MI 49048
Developer & Construction Community
2/28/2019
9:00 AM
Community Room (2nd Floor City Hall), 241 West South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
March 2019 – Community Wide Meeting
Thursday March 21
7pm
VanDeusen Room of the Kalamazoo Public Library Downtown Branch
April 2019 - Planning Commission
Tuesday April 9
7pm
City Commission Chambers (2nd Floor City Hall), 241 West South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
On Tuesday April 9, 2019 the Planning Commission recommended to the City Commission approval of the proposed Natural Features Protection Zoning Overlay Ordinance and map.
May 2019 – City Commission
A first reading of the Natural Features Protection Overlay District will take place during the City Commission Meeting on Monday May 6 at 7pm in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 241 W South Street The agenda with links to staff reports and drafts is available at https://kalamazoo.novusagenda.com/Agendapublic/
A public hearing on the overlay is scheduled to take place during the City Commission Meeting on Monday, May 20 at 7pm in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 241 W South Street
The Natural Features Protection Overlay District was approved by the Kalamazoo City Commission on May 20, 2019.
June 2019 – November 2019 – NFP Map Review
August 2019 & Beyond – NFP Property Stewardship
PARTNERSHIPS:
Full list coming soon
STAFFING:
Community Planning and Economic Development
OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS:
None
CONSISTENT WITH PLANS:
Strategic Vision, 2025 Master Plan
VISION:
The vision of the Natural Features Protection Ordinance is to achieve the long term protection of Natural Feature areas for such ends as public enjoyment and environmental health.
STRATEGIC VISION GOALS:
Environmental Responsibility.
METRICS:
A set of metrics based on unique natural features will be developed by the technical steering committee.
Area of habitat/forest protected
Feet of stream buffer implemented
Number of trees protected
Number of site plans policy is applied to
BUDGET:
Staff Time
FUNDING SOURCES:
N/A
DRAFT ORDINANCE & INPUT
The draft and ultimately the Ordinance is created using four guiding principles:
City-Wide Ordinance
Standards included protect the Natural Feature
Standards included can be managed and enforced by City Staff
Does not preclude development, means more thoughtful development in areas with Natural Features
Draft 1 Natural Features Protection Ordinance
Draft 2 Natural Features Protection Ordinance
Draft 3 Natural Features Protection Ordinance
Draft 4 Natural Features Protection Ordinance
Natural Features Protection Overlay District Map
NFP Overlay Locations by Address
RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
NFP Draft 1 Responses (through 3.24.2019) - Previously updated 2.25.19 & 3.5.19
Responses to Focus Group Questions & Comments