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Commission holds public hearing on proposed Neighborhood Enterprise Zone near East Michigan; no action taken
Summary
The commission opened and closed a public hearing on establishing a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) bounded by East Michigan Avenue, South Edward Street, East South Street and Portage Street; staff described the application and the commission took no immediate action.
The Kalamazoo City Commission opened a public hearing on Jan. 27 to receive comment on a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) application for a defined area around East Michigan Avenue and adjacent blocks. No public speakers came forward and the commission closed the hearing; staff said this is a step in the NEZ process and no immediate vote was required.
Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee told commissioners this is the city’s first NEZ application since staff and the commission adopted an NEZ policy in 2023. The applicant identified a parcel at 232–234 East Michigan (the Heemstra Optical building) and staff evaluated a slightly larger area — citing nearby redevelopment activity including the Coney Island project and other proposed housing — to ensure the proposed boundary aligns with the city’s NEZ policy and the state act that authorizes NEZ incentives. Staff noted certain tax districts limited the potential northern extension of the NEZ and that the proposed zone would sunset in five years.
Durkee said the immediate application proposes a four-unit housing project that would include one unit restricted at 80% of area median income and that the applicant intends to qualify for the NEZ benefit for up to 15 years; the project proposes no new parking. Commissioners asked for additional background; staff confirmed the NEZ web page and online application process launched after the 2023 policy adoption and that the current application was submitted using that form. No public comments were received during the hearing, and no commission action was taken at the meeting; the hearing was described by staff as a required procedural step in the review process.
Staff and commissioners indicated follow-up steps would include standard NEZ application review and any subsequent required legislative or administrative approvals. The transcript records staff explaining the geographic rationale and the applicant’s affordability proposal; commissioners deferred further questions and closed the hearing.
