Northside Rezoning Phase 2 Updates were approved by the Kalamazoo City Commission on Tuesday, July 6 and will go into effect on Friday, July 16, 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. This project is focusing on a review of the Manufacturing Zoning (M1) located in the east end of the Northside Neighborhood, generally South of Paterson, West of Walbridge/Verburg Park, North of North, and East of Edwards (MAP).

The Northside Neighborhood Plan strategies include:

  • Increase the number of resident-owned businesses, especially those by African Americans & low-income residents.

  • Preserve Existing housing and build new housing to accommodate all residents’ needs.

The proposed review and update to the Zoning Map for this area is intended to remove barriers to infill and rehab development that supports this neighborhood vision. Specifically, the proposed update will:

  • Remove the limits on new housing found in the existing Manufacturing Zone.

  • Allow a mix of uses to support a wide range of businesses, housing opportunities, and walkable development.

  • Guide new buildings to fit with the size and scale of the neighborhood.

DRAFT DOCUMENTS

PROJECT MANAGER:

Christina Anderson, City Planner, andersonc@kalamazoocity.org

 

OBJECTIVES

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

  • Remove the conflicts between Manufacturing Zoning and existing buildings, to both support new housing opportunities and to remove any nonconformances from existing lots.

  • Remove the out-of-date Manufacturing Zoning and replace with districts that support a mix of uses, including production uses, and buildings that fit with the size and scale of buildings and lots in the neighborhood.

  • Support the redevelopment of vacant lots owned by the City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to support the neighborhood’s housing and economic goals.

  • Balance the needs of all stakeholders in this area – residents, businesses, and neighborhood vision.

SCHEDULE

JANUARY 2020 – SPRING 2021

  • January 28, 2020 - Community Meeting: Zoning & Streets Discussion at Mount Zion Baptist Church (flyer, presentation slides) **Note the area being reviewed has changed, the new boundary can be found here)

COVID PAUSE

  • March 2021 - Informational Outreach: Mailings & Fliers with project information distributed (flyer). Community input collected.

  • March - May 2021 – Review of input & additional discussions

    • April 12, 2021 - Presentation to Property owners (Meeting Recording, Presentation Slides)

    • April 15, 2021 - Presentation to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board (Meeting Recording, This item begins at approximately 21:00 into the meeting)

    • April 15, 2021 - Presentation to the Northside Cultural Business District Authority (Meeting Recording, This item begins at approximately 3:10 into the meeting)

    • May 18, 2021 - Northside Association for Community Development meeting. (Flyer).

  • June 2021 - Planning Commission Review & Seek Recommendation

    • June 3 - Planning Commission Meeting: On Thursday, June 3 the Planning Commission voted to recommend these proposed zoning updates to the City Commission. (Meeting Agenda, Meeting Recording, This item begins at approximately 26:30 into the meeting)

  • June/July 2021 - City Commission Review & Seek Approval

    • First Reading at City Commission - Monday, June 21

      • With the recommendation from the Planning Commission, the proposed updates will be presented to the City Commission for approval and adoption. This occurs over the course of two meetings, the updates will be presented for a first reading, before a public hearing and vote at a meeting to follow. The first reading for these updates was held at the City Commission’s regular business meeting on Monday, June 21 at 7 p.m.

    • Public Hearing at City Commission - Tuesday, July 6

      • Northside Rezoning Phase 2 Updates were approved by the Kalamazoo City Commission on Tuesday, July 6 and will go into effect on Friday, July 16, 2021. (Meeting Agenda, Meeting Recording, This item begins at approximately 13:30 into the meeting)

PARTNERSHIPS

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

STAFFING

Community Planning & Economic Development, City Attorney’s Office

CONSISTENT WITH PLANS

Strategic Vision, 2025 Master Plan, Northside Neighborhood Plan, Public Participation Plan

VISION

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

STRATEGIC VISION GOALS

Complete Neighborhood, Economic Vitality, Connected City

METRICS

Zoning Map Change

BUDGET

Staff time