City of Kalamazoo - October 22, 2024 Natural Features Protection Review Board

Updated about 12 hours ago

During the NFP Review Board meeting on Tuesday, the board reviews the Friendship Village campus redevelopment project, focusing on its natural features and site plan. The board explores community engagement strategies, emphasizing the importance of public feedback to guide city development efforts. Members discuss the role of neighborhoods and partnerships in fostering a healthy city environment, touching on topics like transportation, green spaces, and sustainability initiatives. The meeting provides a platform for exchanging ideas on improving city infrastructure and enhancing community involvement.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:03:17)
The regular meeting of the NFP review board is called to order for Tuesday.

The chairperson calls the meeting to order, marking the official start of the session.
Roll Call (00:03:28)
Attendance is taken with members Hollander, Fredrickson, Fuller, Martin, and Bassett present.

The roll call is conducted to verify the presence of board members for the meeting.
Adoption of the Agenda (00:04:11)
Motion to adopt the agenda as presented is moved, supported, and passes unanimously.

The agenda for the meeting is reviewed, motioned for adoption, supported, and approved by all members.
Approval of Minutes (00:04:37)
Minutes from the previous meeting are reviewed and approved without objections.

The board reviews the draft minutes from the last meeting and approves them unanimously.
Public Comments (00:05:22)
Opportunity for general public comments is provided, but no comments are made.

A period is opened for public comments, allowing individuals to address the board, but there are no participants.
Board Member Comments (00:06:00)
Board members are invited to make general comments; none are made.

The chairperson asks if any board members have general comments to share, but no comments are offered.
New Business (00:06:11)
Discussion on the NFP site plan for the Friendship Village campus repositioning project.

The board discusses the NFP site plan for the Friendship Village campus, including project details and developer presentations.
Discussion on Friendship Village Project (00:06:14)
Detailed discussion on the Friendship Village project, including site plans and environmental considerations.

Developers present an overview of the proposed additions to the Friendship Village campus, focusing on site plans, environmental impacts, and community feedback.
Public Comments on New Business (00:19:45)
No public comments are made regarding the Friendship Village project discussion.

The floor is opened for public comments specifically on the new business item, but no comments are provided either in person or via phone.
Board Member Discussion (00:20:03)
Board members discuss the project details, including environmental impact and community input.

Board members engage in a detailed discussion about the Friendship Village project, asking questions about environmental impacts, community involvement, and project specifics.
Discussion on Native Plant Species for Landscaping (00:33:03)
Discussion focused on the preference for native plant species in landscaping and the possibility of using non-native, non-invasive species.

The board discussed the landscaping plan for properties and the preference for using native plant species. There was a conversation about whether non-native, non-invasive species could be approved if they fit specific aesthetic or functional requirements. Concerns about the availability of native species and the impact of non-native species were also addressed.
Stormwater Management and Retention Basin Planning (00:40:06)
Discussion about the need for additional retention basins due to new impervious surfaces and the impact on existing trees.

The board discussed the stormwater management plan, which includes the need for a secondary retention basin due to new impervious surfaces from the building and parking lot expansion. There was a consideration of the removal of existing trees and the potential impact on stormwater runoff. The placement of new trees for screening purposes was also mentioned.
Woodland Removal and Preservation Process (00:43:29)
Discussion on how woodland removal is tracked for future development phases and the preservation percentages required.

The board discussed how woodland removal is tracked, especially in the context of future development phases on the same parcel. The process involves reviewing the percentage of woodland that can be preserved and how future applications would need to consider previous removals.
Planning Commission and City Commission Process Overview (00:55:35)
Overview of the planning and approval process, including community engagement and commission meetings.

An overview was given of the planning commission and city commission process, which included community meetings with neighbors, discussions about the planning unit development (PUD) amendment, and approvals related to new buildings and infrastructure. The importance of maintaining communication with the community throughout the project was emphasized.
Introduction to GoGo Community Meetings (01:00:10)
Introduction to GoGo meetings designed to gather community feedback in informal settings.

The board was introduced to the concept of GoGo meetings, which are small group meetings intended to gather genuine feedback from the community by meeting people where they are. The goal is to involve more community members, especially those who do not typically attend city events.
Welcome and Introductions (01:02:49)
Meeting attendees introduce themselves and share their connection to the city and community involvement.

Various attendees introduce themselves, sharing their names, neighborhoods, and involvement in the community. They discuss their daily activities such as driving, walking, and biking around the city, and their participation in local groups like NFP.
Discussion Activity A (01:05:00)
Participants discuss changes in Kalamazoo, highlighting improvements and ongoing challenges in the city.

The meeting starts with Activity A, where participants are asked to discuss two questions: what has changed for the better in Kalamazoo and what continues to be a challenge. Attendees share their thoughts on city growth, natural areas, bike lanes, and traffic management, among other topics.
Open Discussion (01:08:03)
Participants engage in an open discussion about improvements and challenges in Kalamazoo.

The group has an open-ended conversation about improvements in the city, like the NFP initiative and bike lanes, and challenges such as traffic congestion and aggressive driving. They explore these themes by listening and responding to each other's thoughts.
Activity B (01:19:00)
Participants consider what a happy and healthy city means and discuss neighborhood examples.

In Activity B, attendees are asked to write down their ideas on what constitutes a happy and healthy city. They share examples from their neighborhoods, discussing green spaces, public art, and community engagement as contributing factors.
Activity C (01:36:00)
Attendees brainstorm what is needed to achieve a happy and healthy city in Kalamazoo.

The meeting moves to Activity C, with members writing down and discussing ideas on what is needed to make Kalamazoo a happy and healthy city. Suggestions include enhancing green spaces, improving zoning standards, and better community engagement.
Activity C Discussion (01:42:00)
Discussion on community engagement, pathways for city goals, and addressing connectivity issues like urban spaces and bikeability.

The meeting participants discussed the importance of community engagement in achieving city goals. They emphasized improving urban connectivity, addressing fears of change, and enhancing public education about city developments like road diets and bike lanes. There was a focus on creating pathways for residents to engage with city goals and contribute to sustainability efforts.
Activity D and E Discussion (01:47:18)
Discussion on community roles, partnerships, and engagement strategies including challenges like time constraints and childcare.

The discussion focused on the roles of the community in supporting city initiatives, the importance of partnerships, and strategies for effective community engagement. Participants noted the need for consensus in neighborhoods and highlighted challenges like time constraints for residents. Ideas included providing childcare at meetings and utilizing virtual engagement options to reach more people.
Unfinished Business (02:05:50)
There was no unfinished business to address during the meeting.

The meeting proceeded to the agenda item of unfinished business, but it was noted that there was no unfinished business to discuss at this time.
Staff Reports and Updates (02:06:00)
Staff provided updates on ongoing projects including the NFP guide and reporting plans for the next meeting.

Staff reported on the progress of the NFP guide, which is intended for public and developer use and includes examples of residential developments and administrative processes. They are also working on compiling an end-of-year report for January, summarizing projects and developments from the past year.
Communications and Announcements (02:07:00)
Updates on city resources, master plan, and community engagement opportunities related to Michigan Avenue redesign.

Announcements included information on the Imagine Kalamazoo Reads process, where community members are invited to read 'Happy City' and provide feedback. There was also an update on the Michigan Avenue redesign project, with ongoing engagement opportunities for stakeholders and the public to participate and provide input.
Adjournment (02:13:02)
The meeting was adjourned after all agenda items were discussed.

After addressing all agenda items and hearing no further comments from board members, the meeting was officially adjourned.