City of Kalamazoo - December 16, 2025 Natural Features Protection Review Board Meeting

Updated about 16 hours ago

The NFP Review Board convenes to discuss the proposed Westgate Sports Complex, a regional facility aimed at boosting local youth sports and economic activity in Kalamazoo. The project, led by Discover Kalamazoo, seeks variances for woodland and slope standards due to the site's current natural features. Public concerns focus on the environmental impact and adequacy of parking. The board debates the project's alignment with NFP goals, particularly the large reduction in woodland area. They conditionally recommend the variances, emphasizing native landscaping in the project's design. The meeting highlights the challenge of balancing development with environmental stewardship in urban planning.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:01)
The regular meeting of the NFP Review Board is called to order.

The chairperson calls the meeting of the NFP Review Board to order, marking the official start of the session.
Roll Call (00:00:12)
Roll call is conducted, listing all members present and absent.

Nolan conducts the roll call, with members Hollander, Fredrickson, Meia, Temple, Martin, and Bassett confirmed present.
Motion to Excuse Absentees (00:00:35)
A motion is passed to excuse absent members from the meeting.

A motion is made and supported to excuse any members who are not present. The motion passes unanimously with all present members voting in favor.
Adoption of the Agenda (00:00:53)
The agenda for the meeting is adopted without opposition.

A motion is made to adopt the meeting agenda as presented. The motion is supported and passes with all members saying 'aye' and no opposition.
Approval of Minutes (00:01:17)
Minutes from the previous meeting are approved with no amendments.

The board considers the minutes from the last meeting. There are no amendments or comments, and a motion to approve the minutes is made, supported, and passed unanimously.
Public Comments (00:02:02)
Public comments are invited, with a focus on the proposed youth sports facility.

Public comments are opened, and Dante Hudson, representing United Pursuit Basketball Club, speaks in support of a youth sports facility. He emphasizes the importance of community and environmental stewardship.
Board Member Comments (00:04:30)
Board members are invited to comment, but none are made.

The chair opens the floor for any comments from board members. Hearing none, the meeting proceeds to the next agenda item.
New Business: Westgate Sports Complex (00:04:44)
Discussion on the proposed Westgate Sports Complex and related variance requests.

Nolan provides background on the proposed Westgate Sports Complex, detailing the need for variances related to woodland preservation and slope setbacks. The board considers recommendations for the zoning board of appeals. Presentations from Jane Gosh and Kurt Artema outline the project scope, funding, and community impact.
Discussion on Site Layout and Tree Preservation (00:33:14)
The meeting discussed minimizing the footprint by stacking non-sport components and preserving trees to reduce impact.

The discussion focused on reducing the footprint by stacking non-sport related components like offices and restrooms on a mezzanine. This approach was intended to reduce the building's footprint, allowing for more tree preservation and minimizing the impact on the natural environment. A non-motorized trail was also proposed to reduce vehicular needs and parking lot size.
Presentation of Site Sketch and Environmental Considerations (00:34:02)
A site sketch was presented showing tree preservation areas and other site features like the storm pond and ring road.

The site sketch was presented, highlighting areas where trees would be preserved, such as the northeast and southwest sections of the parcel. Additional greenery in the parking lot was also incorporated. The sketch included features like the ring road and storm pond, and consideration for the site's slopes was discussed to minimize environmental impact.
Project Overview and Parking Considerations (00:36:02)
The project requires a large floor area and on-site parking; efforts to respect existing grades and accommodate stormwater were shared.

The project was described as regional in nature, requiring a sizable floor area and on-site parking due to the inability to use street parking or shared parking. Efforts have been made to shape the project to respect existing grades as much as possible, with unavoidable impacts on the site's middle section, particularly for the parking and building footprints. On-site stormwater capacity is also being accommodated.
Public Comments and Concerns (00:38:39)
Public comments expressed concerns about woodland coverage reduction and the need for thorough parking studies.

Public comments were heard, with concerns raised about the significant reduction in woodland coverage and whether the applicant had exhausted all options to achieve more NFP compliance. Questions were raised about whether a thorough parking study had been conducted to justify the large parking lot size, considering potential alternatives like parking ramps.
Board Discussion on Woodland Reduction and Site Options (00:45:03)
Board members discussed woodland reduction, parking needs, and the feasibility of relocating site components due to topography.

Board members expressed concerns about woodland reduction and discussed the need to balance environmental impact with community benefits. They inquired about the parking needs analysis and considered the feasibility of relocating site components like the storm pond to preserve more trees, given the site's topography and grading challenges.
Accessibility and Public Transportation Considerations (00:52:55)
The accessibility of the site for non-motorized users and public transit connections was discussed with Metro service integration plans.

The discussion covered the accessibility of the site for pedestrians and cyclists, with plans for a non-motorized path connecting to Maple Hill Drive. Public transit accessibility was also addressed, with Metro bus services running on nearby routes and potential for Metro Link on-demand services to connect to the site, enhancing accessibility for the community.
Discussion on City Development and Economic Impact (01:05:22)
Extensive discussion on the site development in Kalamazoo, its social and economic impacts, and the site selection process involving multiple locations.

The meeting discussed the development of a new site in Kalamazoo, highlighting its social value to youth and the broader economic impact on the city and residents. There was a detailed explanation of the site selection process, which considered locations in Portage, Texas Township, and Kalamazoo. The potential economic benefits from visitor spending in hotels, restaurants, and attractions were outlined, emphasizing the importance of tourism and events for local businesses and employment.
Environmental and Design Considerations (01:11:11)
Consideration of environmental impacts, woodland preservation, and design adaptations to minimize ecological disruption and integrate native plantings.

The board discussed environmental concerns related to site development, particularly the preservation of woodland areas and the impact of creating new edge habitats. Suggestions included reducing woodland removal, stacking structures to preserve space, and integrating native landscaping. Concerns about bird safety with glass structures were also raised, with potential mitigations discussed.
Board Member Inputs and Site Plan Review Process (01:15:08)
Board members discussed considerations for thoughtful site design, integration of native plantings, and the importance of reviewing detailed site plans.

Board members emphasized the need for a thoughtful design that incorporates native plantings and minimizes turf usage. They discussed the potential ecological impacts of the project, such as increased edge habitat and the need for a design that mitigates these effects. The importance of seeing detailed site plans in future reviews was underscored.
Motions and Variance Recommendations (01:22:07)
The board deliberated on motions to recommend variances for slope and woodland standards, with conditions for native plant integration.

The board discussed and proposed motions regarding variances for protected slopes and woodland standards within the project limits. The motions included conditions for integrating native plantings in undeveloped areas. Board members expressed their positions on the motion, leading to a roll call vote with an amendment for native species planting conditions.
Public Comments (01:39:50)
Opportunity for public comments was provided, but no public or call-in comments were made.

During this agenda item, the chair opened the floor for public comments regarding the meeting schedule, but no members of the public came forward, and there were no call-in comments.
Discussion of Meeting Schedule (01:40:21)
The meeting schedule for the upcoming year was discussed, with special considerations for May and December due to holidays.

Nolan provided background on the proposed meeting schedule, noting it is similar to last year's but with adjustments for holidays in May and December. The January meeting date is already set. Board members discussed and saw no conflicts with the proposed schedule.
Approval of Meeting Schedule (01:42:03)
The meeting schedule was approved with a roll call vote, passing unanimously with no objections.

A motion was made to approve the meeting schedule as presented, which was seconded and then passed following a roll call vote. All board members voted in favor, and the motion carried.
Staff Reports and Updates (01:42:40)
No staff reports or updates were given, but a draft NFP guide is expected for discussion in the January meeting.

There were no staff reports or updates at this meeting. However, it was mentioned that a draft NFP guide might be ready for discussion in the January meeting. The past year was noted as busy with consistent meetings and productive work sessions.
Communications and Announcements (01:43:55)
No communications or announcements were made by staff or board members before adjourning the meeting.

The chair asked if there were any communications or announcements from staff or board members. Hearing none, the meeting proceeded to adjournment.