Eastside Zoning Code Updates were approved by the Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday, February 15 and went into effect on Thursday, February 25, 2021.

 

OVERVIEW

The City of Kalamazoo is working to update its Zoning Ordinance to align development regulations with the 2025 Master Plan, particularly with Neighborhood Plans. The Eastside Neighborhood Plan envisions an active East Main Corridor, with vibrant businesses, housing opportunities, and streets that support travel by all modes. The proposed update to the Zoning Map for this area is intended to remove barriers to infill and rehab development that supports the neighborhood vision.

This includes supporting a wide range of businesses, housing opportunities, and walkable development by replacing the out of date manufacturing and intense commercial zoning with districts that support the mix of uses that have historically existed along these streets and in buildings that fit the size and scale of the corridor. The Zoning Map update will also eliminate the situations where a parcel is zoned more with than one district.

The Zoning Map update also aligns with other programs and projects either underway or in the works, including the City and Eastside Business Committee façade program, Kalamazoo Land Bank planned redevelopments on East Main between Edwin Avenue and Phelps Avenue/Southworth Terrace, and street improvements on East Main scheduled for 2021.

MEETINGS

City Commission on February 15

The Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously approved Eastside Zoning Code Updates on Monday, February 15. The meeting recording and agenda are available below. The Eastside zoning agenda item begins at approximately 55:10 into the meeting.


Planning Commission on January 7

On Thursday, January 7, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of Eastside Zoning Code Updates. The meeting agenda, presentation slides, and recording are available below. The Eastside zoning agenda item begins at approximately 18:40 into the meeting.

PROJECT MANAGER:

Christina Anderson, City Planner, andersonc@kalamazoocity.org

OBJECTIVES

  • Establish a Zoning Ordinance that aligns with the 2025 Master Plan and Eastside Neighborhood Plan and supports the City’s Strategic Vision

  • Remove barriers to the historic mixed-use pattern along East Main and East Michigan

  • Replace out-of-date and too intense manufacturing and commercial zoning districts with mixed use districts that support projects of the right size and scale for the area.

  • Support land use development that aligns with the street network.

SCHEDULE

JANUARY 2020 - 2021

  • January 30, 2020 - Community Meeting: Zoning & Streets Discussion at KENA (flyer, presentation slides)

  • March 2020 - Business Community Meeting: Review & Confirm Map at KENA

  • November/December 2020 - Informational Outreach: Door hangers with project information distributed (door hanger). Community input collected.

  • January 2021 - Recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on January 7, 2021

  • February 2021 - Approved by the City Commission on February 15, 2021. The updates take effect February 25, 2021.

PARTNERSHIPS

Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood Association (KENA), KENA Business Committee

STAFFING

Community Planning & Economic Development, City Attorney’s Office

VISION

To create a Zoning Ordinance that supports the vision of Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 as detailed in the 2025 Master Plan.

METRICS

Zoning Map Change

BUDGET

Staff time

FUNDING SOURCE

General fund