KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners has voted in favor of amending its Chapter 50 ordinance in the downtown area.
During a virtual meeting Monday night, the board held a public hearing on the matter, which allowed comments on the act. The move would amend the text of Chapter 50 and rezone parts of the downtown area, including adjacent blocks.
Some provisions of the rewrite include the allowance of marijuana businesses and facilities in that area, among others. It would also create updated codes for three different districts downtown.
Primary concerns of callers were in regards to a removal of height limitations on buildings in some parts of downtown, including the area of Bronson Park.
According to city documents, that facet of the rewrite is written as follows:
“2-story minimum height and no maximum building height (the resulting area is similar to the existing area that permits no maximum height) and Downtown 3: 2-story minimum height and a maximum of 5-stories, except for Civic Buildings which are permitted up to 6 stories.”
The documents also state part of the intention of the height removal is to “support a mix of housing types and businesses to serve those that live Downtown, as well as those who work and play.”
Residents who called in said they were worried about having too many skyscrapers downtown after a certain point, as well as losing the architecture design of the downtown area.
“If tall buildings are permitted, this district’s unique form will diminish in its value as a public place,” one caller said. “By allowing tall buildings with greater density, it actually encourages demolition.”
Other callers spoke similarly and had concerns over Bronson Park.
“That history of Kalamazoo’s deliberate urban design has always allowed Bronson Park to survive as a small gem at the heart of our city, it’s always been open to the skies through a spacious canopy and large trees,” another caller said. “While I understand the general value of controlled urban density, we can all recognize that Bronson Park is not, and should never be, some huge expanse like Central Park with distant views of tall cityscapes.”
That caller also expressed concerns of the precedent this rezoning could set.
Speaking in response to these calls, Commissioner Chris Praedel discussed the height restrictions, saying that many emails and calls had been received on the subject. However, he hadn’t heard these concerns before a rescheduled meeting last week when a separate hearing was held.
“The first that I’ve heard from individuals talking about height restrictions was really last week, and although I think this is very important that we take that into consideration, I would like to share the caveat that it’s important we still have that conversation afterwards,” Praedel said. “I think the points made about Bronson Park not being Central Park, you think of the history that’s happened and will continue to happen in that park, everything from presidential candidates coming to speak to Black Lives Matter marches that have occurred in the heart of our city. That richness can’t be neglected and the history that’s to come can’t be neglected. I think it’s very worth having that conversation to make sure we’re respecting the history and our future in that park. My hope would be that we can continue that conversation to discuss height restrictions and figuring out some way to make sure we keep that sanctity in that park.”
In response, City Planner Christina Anderson said her department is conducting a study on Bronson and other areas, such as Arcadia Creek Festival Place, to make sure they are meeting their goals of maximizing density while preserving character.
“We have already started to research that work, and believe that with that information, we will have conversations with the Historic Preservation Commission to figure out how to best use that information and set standards that are crafted to Bronson Park, and also possibly Arcadia Festival Site,” Anderson said.
Commissioner Jack Urban also spoke to the comments against the height restrictions, saying that it was not going to be a definite rule.
“My experience as a City Commissioner has led me to the conclusion that we almost never make everybody happy, and we probably won’t in this case,” Urban said. “But I can assure the citizens that this matter about height around Bronson Park is not being decided once and all for tonight. We’re going to have ongoing conversations about it, and I think the solution we evolve will be somewhat more nuanced than the one that was proposed as an alternative this evening. I think it will end up at a compromise that will be mutually satisfactory. So have patience, I urge you.”
Ultimately, the Commissioners voted unanimously to update the zoning codes.
Residents are able to view documents of the new plan through the City of Kalamazoo website. A presentation of zoning codes in each downtown district can be viewed at this link, and a map overlay of how the districts are laid out can be viewed here.
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