City of Kalamazoo - July 22, 2025 Natural Features Protection Review Board Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

During the NFP Review Board Meeting, board members and staff discuss recent site plan reviews, highlighting projects such as the Country Club parcel and Berg Park improvements. Public comments raise issues about finding meeting agendas online, leading to discussions on improving public communication. Staff provide updates on the NFP ordinance and guide, focusing on helping developers navigate requirements. The meeting emphasizes the importance of providing clear guidance and resources to improve the development process.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:03:54)
The regular meeting of the NFP Review Board was called to order.

The chairperson called the regular meeting of the NFP Review Board to order.
Roll Call (00:04:03)
Roll call was conducted for board member attendance.

Roll call was conducted with members Hollander, Fredrickson, Ro, Temple, and Berg present.
Excusing Absent Members (00:04:35)
A motion was made and approved to excuse absent members.

The board made and passed a motion to excuse the absent members from the meeting.
Approval of Agenda (00:05:06)
The agenda was approved as presented after a motion and vote.

A motion was made to approve the agenda as presented, supported, and then passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes (00:05:36)
The meeting minutes from the previous session were approved.

The board reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. No amendments or comments were made, and the minutes were approved unanimously.
Public Comments (00:06:21)
Public comments were invited, with issues about meeting notifications discussed.

The floor was opened for public comments. A member of the public raised concerns about difficulties in finding information on meetings and the lack of updates on the city's website. The board acknowledged the issue and provided some clarifications.
Board Member Comments (00:10:17)
Board members were invited to share any comments they had.

The chair invited board members to share any general comments or observations they had, but none were made.
Unfinished Business (00:10:40)
An update on NFP projects and a mid-year check-in were presented.

Nolan provided a short presentation about the progress on NFP projects, the addition of new board members, and updates on approved projects. The presentation also covered administrative approvals and variance recommendations for the year.
Discussion on Landscaping and Ordinance Guidance (00:21:08)
The board discussed landscaping guidelines and the need for clear guidance.

The board engaged in a discussion regarding the landscaping guidelines and the challenges faced by developers. They debated the merits of providing a list of approved plants versus pointing developers to external resources for guidance. The importance of clear communication and setting expectations early in the development process was emphasized.
Welcome and Call to Order (00:40:04)
The meeting was called to order with a focus on ensuring contacts are up to date.

The meeting commenced with a discussion on the importance of keeping contact information current to prevent potential frustration and delays in projects.
Discussion on Project Preparedness (00:40:08)
Discussion on the importance of applicants being well-prepared to avoid delays and improve the approval process.

The board discussed how applicants often come at different levels of preparedness, which can lead to delays in obtaining site plan approvals and building permits. Emphasis was placed on the importance of applicants being informed and prepared to streamline the process and avoid multiple reviews.
Agenda Availability Issues (00:53:00)
Discussion on the difficulties faced by the public in finding meeting agendas online.

There was a discussion about the challenges faced by the public in finding the meeting agenda. It was noted that the agenda was difficult to locate on the official website due to a transition to a new system, and steps would be taken to improve accessibility.
Staff Reports and Updates (00:56:31)
No new staff reports or updates were presented at this time.

The meeting agenda moved to staff reports and updates, but there were no new updates to report.
Communications and Announcements (00:56:35)
Announcement of the upcoming 'Kazoo Paddle for the Planet' event this Saturday.

A board member announced the 'Kazoo Paddle for the Planet' event, inviting participants to join the paddle event at Historic Bridge Park on Waddles Road in Battle Creek.
Adjournment (00:57:00)
The meeting was adjourned without requiring a formal gavel.

The meeting concluded with no further items for discussion, and the chairperson adjourned the meeting.