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Kalamazoo County adopts amendment to expand KL Landfill groundwater restriction zone; public hearing had no oral testimony
Summary
Board passed a resolution amending the county sanitary code to expand the KL Landfill groundwater restriction zone after a public hearing that drew no speakers; later in public comment a resident raised concerns about mandatory hookup for wells in the restricted area.
Kalamazoo County commissioners on May 7 voted to amend the county sanitary code to expand the groundwater restriction zone around the KL Landfill.
The board opened and closed a public hearing on the proposed sanitary code amendment; no members of the public spoke during the hearing itself. After the hearing the board considered the resolution and approved it by roll call. The clerk recorded the roll as 8 yes, 0 no.
Later in the meeting during the general public comment period a resident, Michelle Vanderruest of Charleston Township, said she and neighbors had chosen not to connect to municipal water and expressed concern about losing that choice if their properties fall inside a restricted zone that would require hookup. She said restrictions and the application process to remain on wells for irrigation can be difficult and that some neighbors connected preemptively only because they feared retroactive hookup costs.
The public hearing packet and the resolution language were available in the meeting packet; county staff did not report oral testimony at the hearing and will implement the code amendment as adopted. The board did not discuss changes to exemptions or a mandatory connection timeline during the public meeting beyond standard code considerations.
Why it matters: groundwater restriction zones are used to protect public health by directing properties to municipal water systems when groundwater is affected by landfill contaminants. Expanding a restricted zone can create costs and permit requirements for property owners who must connect to a public water system, and residents in affected areas often raise affordability and choice concerns.
What's next: county staff will implement the sanitary code amendment. Residents with questions about whether their property is included or whether irrigation or other exemptions apply should contact the health department; public comment at the meeting indicated some residents will seek administrative guidance on exemption procedures.
