City of Kalamazoo - August 19, 2026 Environmental Concerns Committee Meeting

Updated 1 day ago

The Committee considers the establishment of green space and conservation zoning districts, the potential impact of stadium lights near Asylum Lake Preserve, and the implications of data centers and crypto mining facilities within the city. The discussion on green zoning emphasizes the need to align with the city's sustainability goals, while the stadium lights debate highlights environmental concerns related to light pollution. The committee supports the city's moratorium on data centers and recommends forming an ad hoc committee to explore sustainable development options. Public comments reflect community interest in these topics, and the committee seeks to engage more actively with the city and community stakeholders. The meeting concludes with a call for public feedback on city budget priorities.

Chapters

Welcome and Introduction (00:02:04)
The meeting began with a welcome and introduction to the Environmental Concerns Committee's August meeting.

The chair welcomed everyone to the Environmental Concerns Committee meeting for August, noting that it had been a couple of months since the last meeting. They also ensured that the meeting was live-streamed.
Roll Call (00:02:15)
Roll call was conducted to confirm the presence of committee members, including Rachel Yandel, David AK (Chair), John Cruiser, and Katie Bloom.

The chair conducted a roll call, confirming the presence of members Jondle, David Benac (Chair), John Kreuzer, and Katie Bloom. It was noted that there were empty seats, and residents of Kalamazoo interested in environmental concerns were encouraged to apply to join the committee.
Approval of Agenda (00:02:52)
The agenda for the meeting was reviewed and approved after confirming there were no requests for changes.

The chair asked if there were any requests for changes to the agenda. Hearing none, a motion to approve the agenda was made and seconded, and the agenda was approved.
Approval of Minutes (00:03:15)
Minutes from the last month's meeting were approved after a motion and seconding by committee members.

The chair mentioned that there were minutes from the last month's meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded. There were no objections, and the minutes were approved by the committee.
Communications and Sustainability Updates (00:03:51)
Justin provided updates on sustainability initiatives, including the textile pilot, rain barrel sale, invasive species pulls, master recycler program, and the Michigan Green Communities certification.

Justin provided updates on several sustainability initiatives. He discussed the results of a textile pilot program, which collected almost a ton of textiles, and the rain barrel sale in partnership with the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council. He also mentioned the master recycler program and the city's certification as a Gold member of the Michigan Green Communities. Other updates included applying for an Eagle infrastructure grant and working with the Audubon Society on the Lights Out education program.
Public Comments (00:09:54)
Public comments were taken, including requests for new zoning districts for green space and conservation.

The committee opened the floor to public comments. Iris Potter asked about the Michigan Green Communities gold status. Tom, a board member of the Asylum Lake Preservation Association, requested the creation of new zoning districts for green space and conservation, citing the need for dedicated conservation districts to protect ecologically sensitive lands.
Reports from Committee Members (00:17:00)
Committee members provided updates on various reports, including natural features protection and urban landscape initiatives.

John provided a recap on the Natural Features Protection Review Board's activities, including discussions on the youth sports complex and mill park improvements. Rachel provided updates on the Native Species and Urban Landscape subcommittee, including the Lights Out campaign and upcoming city code updates on native lawns.
Discussion on Committee Structure and Goals (00:23:02)
A discussion took place regarding the need for the committee to be more proactive and the challenges of maintaining effective engagement with the city.

The committee discussed the need to be more proactive in addressing environmental issues and how to better align with community concerns. There was frustration expressed with the city's lack of engagement with the committee on relevant issues. Suggestions included focusing on fewer, more impactful projects and ensuring the city involves the committee in environmental decision-making processes.
Committee Assignments and Planning (00:37:01)
Discussion on committee assignments and planning for future projects, including NFP, Parks and Rec, and Planning Commission.

The committee discussed the grouping of assignments and the need for communication between different committee members. John stays with NFP and Parks and Rec, Kate will handle the tree committee, and Rachel will manage planning and native species. The chair will oversee as needed and the focus will be on creating projects to investigate.
Air Quality Report and Odor Task Force (00:38:39)
Rita's air quality report was discussed and the operational status of the odor task force was questioned.

The committee acknowledged the importance of air quality issues in Kalamazoo and the need for actionable recommendations rather than just reporting. The history of the odor task force was briefly mentioned, noting it has not met in years despite its relevance.
Green Zoning Discussion (00:42:01)
John led a discussion on green zoning, emphasizing the city's responsibility towards environmental stewardship and proposing new zoning classifications.

John supported the establishment of green space and conservation zoning districts, aligning with Kalamazoo's sustainability and climate action plans. The committee agreed to send a recommendation to the city commission, requesting zoning ordinance updates within six months.
Stadium Lights Impact Discussion (00:50:49)
The committee discussed the environmental impact of proposed stadium lights at Western Michigan University, focusing on light pollution concerns.

There were concerns about the impact of stadium lights on the asylum lake preserve and surrounding neighborhoods. A lighting study claimed no significant impact, but the committee suggested communicating concerns to WMU trustees for consideration.
Urban Deer Management (01:01:02)
Discussion on urban deer complaints and potential management strategies, including non-lethal options.

The committee considered various approaches to managing urban deer populations, emphasizing non-lethal methods like exclusion and repellents. The need for comprehensive studies and education on deer management was highlighted, with a focus on habitat preservation and alternative solutions.
Discussion on Deer Population and Management (01:12:36)
Discussion on the issues related to the deer population in the city, including potential solutions and the involvement of a student for a population study.

The committee discussed the increasing deer population in the city and potential solutions to manage it. There was a suggestion to involve a student to conduct a deer population study and review the effectiveness of various management methods such as fencing, culling, and chemical castration. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations were noted, and the challenges of managing the deer population were discussed.
Data Centers and Zoning Regulations (01:17:01)
Discussion on the establishment of data centers and the need for new zoning regulations to address the development of data centers and related technology uses.

The city commission recently voted on data center regulations, and the committee discussed the implications of this decision. There was a call for the planning commission to create new zoning regulations specifically for data centers and related technology uses. Examples from the City of Portage were cited, where new technology campus zoning regulations were established. The committee emphasized the need for the Environmental Concerns Committee to be involved in any further planning and decision-making.
Public Comments and Concerns (01:32:02)
Public comments were made on various environmental issues, including the deer population and data centers, and the need for public participation in decision-making.

During the public comments section, several individuals expressed concerns about the environmental impacts of data centers and the deer population. The need for more public involvement and transparency in decision-making was highlighted. Suggestions were made for the city to consider the establishment of new positions focused on natural resources management and environmental sustainability.
Commissioner Comments and Adjournment (01:39:44)
Commissioners provided final comments and thanked attendees, with an invitation for public engagement and applications for committee membership.

In the closing remarks, commissioners thanked the attendees for their participation and encouraged public engagement in city affairs. They highlighted the availability of seats on the committee and invited interested city residents to apply. The meeting was then officially adjourned.