KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo City Commissioners have unanimously approved their master plan despite some complaints that the city is trying to bring commercial development too close to housing.
The Master Plan, as it was described by staff is a “view from 5ooo feet” that will act as road map to the future, in this case until 2025.
Planning Staffer Rebekah Kik says they created what they call “urban edge” and “neighborhood edge” areas that would make use of obsolete or underutilized area along major commuter routes, and put mixed uses on those properties.
That would scatter small businesses, shops and groceries around the city and put them in walking distance to a greater number of residents.
But some homeowners in the Winchell area say they don’t want Stadium between Howard and Rambling designated as one of these edge zones.
They don’t want businesses in their backyards.
Apparently homeowners in other neighborhoods have expressed similar concerns about mixing business with residential uses.
Staff says this can all be sorted out in the subsequent work they plan to do with each neighborhood to make sure everyone gets the community they want.
