NFP board reviews midyear projects, proposes guidance to help applicants navigate stormwater and landscaping requirements

The Natural Features Protection (NFP) Review Board on July 22 heard a midyear update from staff that summarized four approved projects, three administrative approvals and one variance recommendation forwarded to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), and discussed a draft NFP guidance document intended to help applicants navigate stormwater, plant selection and permitting requirements.

Board liaison Nolan said the board had approved four site projects so far in 2025 — 1609 Whites Road (Country Club parcel), 2045 East Michigan (city property with pump‑house upgrades and a PFAS treatment structure), 669 Gold Road (Vareberg Park improvements) and 1900 Belford Street (a large parcel split off for housing). He said there were three administrative approvals this year (251 Mill Street at the Growler Stadium riverfront property; minor landscaping revisions to 500 Golden Drive; and equipment upgrades at a cell tower at 3419 South Burdick) and one variance recommendation for 433 Reed Avenue that staff forwarded to the ZBA because proposed stormwater work touched regulated setbacks.

“I just wanted to give the board members just a general update on some of the projects that have come through,” Nolan said, describing the summary as a midyear…