[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6182236,"mediaKeyId","5107307-7d945f68f913885bb947705d3f028dc6","parentId",5107307,"title","Designers, neighbors spar over scale of proposed five‑story mixed‑use building at 802 South Burdick","audioSeconds",443,"startMs",969000,"endMs",1412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107307-7d945f68f913885bb947705d3f028dc6&start=969&end=1412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107307-7d945f68f913885bb947705d3f028dc6/thumbnail_969000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182236/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Designers-neighbors-spar-over-scale-of-proposed-fivestory-mixeduse-building-at-802-South-Burdick","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182236-1d14f8f84d4475663a8913db9edc23e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153299&Signature=iSjfWH3r2ZhEmp8pFcx-gxjlNn6FY4mORfR4CCWv9m3ZWcQjaJija7mwtbwLWEgAb8dySo6hkuTJ4sLbSB52gGD0lX7djfk6n8n7VGFlC4i1Vkv8pnd-I-Kalh7ZNKtHMjOqMmXsP1Tbmxxn0svKpxbRwQ6iPLLIRv8UVIThbiRIS4UiZIXXCESfNORmj3V1nWSwDa22xqI3sWtNqUWjQ-ZKfrY6oBH1b5nVMh6mIVWOdFyZxA7pl07ZJisy9b6HkT7sfq~XTS~MJ7PKphzS9~vUIOM51WAFOseOMc55oV6gSjhK34Ud~ZgMDQyDQ-FMt2CaWEw7EJPOkK-9xPsQPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalamazoo","date","2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","article","Developers from Boggan Developments and design lead Jason Novotny of TowerPinkster presented the latest iteration of a proposed five‑story, mixed‑use building at 802 South Burdick (the VINE project) to the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission, explaining material choices and massing intended to reduce the building’s perceived scale.

\"The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with historic materials, features, size, scale, and proportion,\" Jason Novotny said while outlining the project’s use of two brick tones, metal panels and a lighter fifth floor to visually step the building down.

The commission and nearby residents raised design concerns. Commissioner Dana said after review, \"I do not intend to vote in favor of this,\" citing the building’s height and massing in relation to adjacent houses. Multiple commissioners described the building as visually large for the immediate block and asked whether design changes could reduce the perceived scale on the Burdick frontage.

Why it matters: the proposed building would add street‑level commercial space (restaurant, small market, health facility/gym, preschool) and upper‑floor residential units at a prominent corner in the Vine neighborhood. Developers and designers said the five‑story height is permitted by zoning, was shaped by earlier community planning efforts and is intended to meet program needs and financial feasibility.

Key details from the presentation and discussion:
- Developer Jamari Boggan (Boggan Developments) and Jason Novotny (TowerPinkster, Vice President of Design) described a five‑story corner building with two brick tones, stepped facades along Vine and a lighter material at the fifth floor to reduce apparent height.
- Jason said the First Floor is subject to a zoning requirement to have 70% glass between 2 and 8 feet above grade; balconies are proposed on the Vine elevation and the south/corner massing steps down to a three‑story portion near the preschool.
- The project would provide fewer than 10 parallel on‑street parking spaces and most required parking at the rear; entrances are proposed from both Vine and Burdick.
- Designers pointed to prior community charrettes and a 2016 strategic plan, and said partners included the Vine Neighborhood Association, LISC and Bronson Hospital.

Community reaction: Nadine Brios Rivas, an architectural designer and Vine neighborhood resident, supported the project’s transition in height toward the hospital campus. Resident Barb Shell asked whether Kalamazoo fire ladder trucks could reach the top; staff confirmed coordination with the Fire Marshal for access and compliance.

Commission process issues: Commissioners noted they only had a quorum at the meeting and that a unanimous vote would be required for approval that night. Staff advised the commission’s options were approval, denial, or postponement. Commissioners discussed conditional approval language and the possibility of asking the design team to return with alternative renderings that further step down or break the Burdick façade.

Developers urged timely approval to preserve funding and momentum. Jamari Boggan said the project has been in neighborhood planning for years and that delay could jeopardize financing and partner commitments: \"This neighborhood discussions have been going on outside of us for now almost 10 years.\"

What was decided: the commission did not record a final vote on the project during this meeting. Commissioners were split — some expressing support for the materials and rhythmic facades, others explicitly opposing the five‑story height as drawn. Commissioners directed discussion toward potentially asking the applicant for revised design options or scheduling a special meeting; staff noted practical scheduling and quorum constraints.

Next steps: commissioners suggested the team could return with revised drawings that explore stepping down the corner or upper floors, or the commission could consider conditional approval with follow‑up design review. Staff offered to pursue options for a special meeting or follow‑up review and invited the applicant to meet with commissioners for more detailed feedback.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025 Historic District Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Developers from Boggan Developments and design lead Jason Novotny of TowerPinkster presented the latest iteration of a proposed five‑story, mixed‑use building at 802 South Burdick (the VINE project) to the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission, explaining material choices and massing intended to reduce the building’s perceived scale.","taxTitle","Kalamazoo City, Kalamazoo County, Michigan","taxId",3977,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182240,"Vine property manager urges clearer window and contractor guidance from Kalamazoo historic commission",251,287000,538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5107307-7d945f68f913885bb947705d3f028dc6&start=287&end=538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5107307-7d945f68f913885bb947705d3f028dc6/thumbnail_287000.jpg","/articles/6182240/Kalamazoo-City/Kalamazoo-County/Michigan/Vine-property-manager-urges-clearer-window-and-contractor-guidance-from-Kalamazoo-historic-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182240-7042b8f351f550fdf58d0046f21039ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153299&Signature=biBiaR0vlqUrT7X15BS~HzY31KmDdDPQ7qcFZ35L3OR~oCYJuaNvZgdN8G7KkhxAwSybaT7G~WE~kz2RlPQ8jcWtXXQBHGXl9s6vBFDEvulxSMVc5smiFjpBA-LA0s~vCAbLBRS8b9LG6s4X1xWjM-lWqahEUYXkFEwFr6UPsqWGety5np2QgrpzhZIHFHHnTtNI0m~u9fb1173OUff~R6-4YStQwScS744DicLHDyEjwldYAB6CSFlQkGO48ZCz8TNOuUzrHwTz5jDqBZTan3qFeuUEcgoQH8dXo7n-6bUWOEl11voN-YEkLJwmWfvxAukxIRifgFl7m3Oa~oWBnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jen, the property manager for the Vine Neighborhood Association, told the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission that inconsistent historic-window approvals and an outdated contractors list are making it difficult for building owners to maintain properties.

\"That's a big deal to me, and it's a big deal in maintaining the integrity of a building that I think is the staple for the neighborhood,\" Jen said during the commission's public-comment period, describing a unit where replacing two windows cost about $11,000.

The commission’s comments and staff responses explained limits on the commission’s authority and existing procedures but did not offer an immediate change to product guidance. Commissioner Luis (staff) and others said the commission does not currently maintain an official list of recommended window products or a regularly updated contractors roster, and that creating and maintaining such a list would carry implications for administrative capacity and perceived endorsements.

Why it matters: property owners in Kalamazoo’s local historic districts must comply with both the City of Kalamazoo ordinances and the Local Historic Districts Act when altering exterior features. Jen said the commission allowed a different applicant to use an Andersen 100 window in a recent case, while her building was required to use an Andersen 400 because the opening could not be changed; she estimated the difference works out to roughly $1,300 per window ($2,600 on one project) and suggested replacing all windows in her building could save about $71,000 if lower-cost products were consistently allowed.

Commissioners and staff said the historic-district guidelines and certificates of appropriateness are applied case-by-case and that earlier staff members had maintained a contractor list that has not been updated. \"We don't, per your point, we don't have a list of recommended products,\" a commissioner said, adding that owners who bring proposals that are \"in the spirit\" of preservation are typically approved. Staff (Luis) advised the public comment period is not the time for back-and-forth technical discussion but invited the commenter to follow up with staff and to submit the written letter she prepared.

Supporting details: the commission’s disclaimer read aloud at the meeting cited Chapter 16, Section 22 of the City of Kalamazoo code of ordinances and the Local Historic Districts Act (as referenced in the meeting materials). Staff noted that some procedural practices (for example, stipulating final approvals or delegations on certificates of appropriateness) were used under a previous director but are not standard practice for larger projects under current staff processes.

What was not decided: the commission did not adopt a new list of approved window products or a refreshed contractors list during the meeting. Staff advised the commenter to follow up by submitting the written request and working with the planning office.

Community follow-up: Jen asked to submit her letter and to meet with Luis and the commission for follow-up; staff invited her to contact the community planning and economic development department for next steps.","A Vine Neighborhood Association property manager urged the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission to publish a list of approved window products and update a contractors list after inconsistent approvals left her facing higher costs to comply with historic-district rules.","actionData","errors"]

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Designers, neighbors spar over scale of proposed five‑story mixed‑use building at 802 South Burdick

Vine property manager urges clearer window and contractor guidance from Kalamazoo historic commission