Updates to the Natural Features Protection Overlay district and related zoning code standards were unanimously approved by the City Commission on Monday, August 16, 2021. These updates will go into effect on Thursday, August 26, 2021.


OVERVIEW

Adopted in 2019, the Natural Features Protection Ordinance put in place standards for the development of land on or near areas identified with Natural Features in order to achieve better management and long-term protection of these areas. In Phase 2 of this project, city staff, NFP Review Board, and partners are evaluating the current overlay district and mapping existing natural features throughout the City. The goal is to align the overlay district with areas where natural features are known to exist using spatial data and GIS analysis.

The NFP Review Board is recommending an expansion of the Natural Features Protection Overlay District. The NFP overlay district is a special zoning district in the City where new development projects have special standards to consider as part of the City’s zoning and building review process.

The recommended expansion comes after a year of mapping natural features and seeking community input. The NFP Review Board is also recommending text changes to the zoning ordinance. These changes will help make the standards easier to interpret and apply.


PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS & MAP

The draft NFP Overlay District map amendment and draft text amendments are available below for community review. An updated draft map is also available in the lobby of City Hall (241 W South Street) near the south entrance.

You can search the map address or use the look-up table to find a particular property address. The map and look-up table also lists the different natural features that were used to select the property for the district. Parcels in pink on the map below are NFP Phase II (Proposed Expansion) and parcels in green are NFP Phase I (Current Overlay). For the map legend or to view the map on an aerial background click the arrows on the top left of the map. The map can also be viewed in a new window here. More information on each parcel, including NFP characteristics, can be viewed by clicking on an individual parcel.

DISCLAIMER:

This map is a user generated public output from a mapping software and is for reference only. Data layers on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. THIS MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.

The Look-Up Table (parcel list spreadsheet) is searchable with ctrl+F.




OBJECTIVES

  • Work with the NFP Review Board, technical experts, and the community to evaluate the location of natural features within the City

  • Work to align the Natural Features Protection Overlay District boundaries with the evaluation of natural features

  • Use the implementation experience of the NFP Review Board to recommend text edits to the NFP ordinance


SCHEDULE

  • January – May 2020: Mapping Analysis: Building off of Phase 1 map, identify additional natural feature areas through GIS and spatial analysis

  • June 2020: NFP Review Board of First Draft: NFP review board finalized the first draft of revisions to the NFP overlay district

  • August 2020 - September 2020: Mapping Activity: Community input on areas that might have been missed in the overlay district

  • September - November 2020: Review

    • Community review and feedback on the updated draft overlay map. Final drafts went to the NFP Review Board and Planning Commission.

    • On Tuesday, October 13 the Natural Features Protection Review Board voted unanimously to recommend the amendments to the Planning Commission.

    • On Thursday, November 5, the Planning Commission voted not to recommend the approval of the amendments. The Planning Commission requested further information, clarification and community engagement and for City staff to re-present the updates within 6 months.

  • January - February 2021: The NFP Review Board will re-examine the proposed map and review standards in the code

  • March - April 2021: Public engagement and NFP Review Board work session (with Planning Commission)

  • May 2021: Public comments accepted at the NFP Review Board meeting (May 25, 2021 at 4:00 PM)

  • June 2021: Staff presentation to the Planning Commission (June 3, 2021 at 7:00 PM), virtual information sessions on Wednesday, June 16 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday, June 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and public comments accepted at the NFP Review Board meeting (June 22, 2021 at 4:00 PM).

  • On Tuesday, June 22 the NFP Review Board passed a motion to recommend the Planning Commission hold a public hearing on map and text amendments to Chapter 50, Article 6.2 Natural Features Protection Overlay District and recommend approval to the City Commission.

  • July 2021: Public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting (July 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM). The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of updates to the Natural Features Protection (NFP) Overlay District and related zoning code standards to the City Commission.

    With the recommendation from the Planning Commission, the proposed updates will go to the City Commission for final approval.

  • August 2021: This item was be placed on the August 2 City Commission Regular Business Meeting agenda where the commission set the date for the public hearing.

  • Updates to the Natural Features Protection Overlay district and related zoning code standards were unanimously approved by the City Commission on Monday, August 16, 2021. These updates will go into effect on Thursday, August 26, 2021.


PROJECT MANAGER

Jamie McCarthy, Sustainable Development Coordinator, mccarthyja@kalamazoocity.org

Nolan Bergstrom, Graduate Student Intern

Christina Anderson, City Planner


PARTNERSHIPS

NFP Review Board, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College

STAFFING

Community Planning & Economic Development

OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS

None


CONSISTENT WITH PLANS

Strategic Vision, 2025 Master Plan

VISION

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.

STRATEGIC VISION GOALS

Environmental Responsibility


METRICS

  • Number of successful applicants

  • Number of variances requested/granted

  • Percentage of natural features included in overlay district

BUDGET

Staff time

FUNDING SOURCES

N/A


 

PAST MEETINGS

Planning Commission - July 1, 2021

The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of updates to the Natural Features Protection (NFP) Overlay District and related zoning code standards to the City Commission. This item begins at approximately 32:10 into the meeting. Meeting Agenda

NFP Virtual Information Session - June 23, 2021

NFP Review Board - June 22, 2021

The NFP Review board passed a motion to recommend the Planning Commission hold a public hearing on map and text amendments to Chapter 50, Article 6.2 Natural Features Protection Overlay District and recommend approval to the City Commission. This item begins at approximately 21:05 into the meeting. Meeting Agenda.

NFP Virtual Information Session - June 16, 2021

NFP Review Board - May 25. 2021

The NFP Review Board voted to recommend staff send notice to parcels in the map presented at the May 25 meeting and table the recommendation to Planning Commission until the June 22 regular meeting of the NFP Review Board. Meeting Agenda


NFP Review Board - April 27, 2021

Agenda item G1 related to NFP proposed amendments begins at approximately 1:02:15 into the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

NFP Review Board - March 23, 2021

This meeting was held jointly with the Planning Commission and includes a presentation with NFP Phase 2 project background and updates.

Meeting agenda

NFP Review Board - February 23, 2021

Agenda item F1 regarding NFP phase 2 begins at approximately 54:38 into the meeting.

Meeting agenda

NFP Review Board - November 24, 2020

On Tuesday, November 24, the NFP Review Board reviewed Planning Commission results from the November 5 meeting and discussed next steps for NFP Phase 2. A recording of the meeting is available below.

Meeting Agenda

Planning Commission - November 5, 2020

On Thursday, November 5, the Planning Commission voted not to recommend the approval of Natural Features Projection Phase 2 Updates. The Planning Commission requested further information, clarification and community engagement and for City staff to re-present the updates within 6 months. A recording of the meeting and meeting agenda are available below. The Natural Features Protection updates item begins at approximately 3:50 into the meeting.

Meeting Agenda

NFP Virtual Town Hall - October 28, 2020

A virtual town hall was held 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 gave a presentation and answered community questions about the project. A recording of the meeting is available below and a question and answer sheet will be posted here shortly.

NFP Review Board Special Meeting - October 13, 2020

On Tuesday, October 13 the NFP Review Board held a Special Meeting to review amendments to the NFP Overlay District Map and text amendments to Chapter 50, Article 6 of the Zoning Code. The board voted unanimously to recommend the amendments to the Planning Commission. A recording of the meeting is available below.

NFP Review Board Meeting - September 29, 2020

At the September 29 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 updates to the NFP overlay map, as well as text amendments to the ordinance. A recording of the meeting and meeting agenda are available below.

Meeting Agenda