Kalamazoo zoning board grants Graphic Packaging six‑month variance extension

Kalamazoo — The City of Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals on Nov. 13 approved a six‑month extension for setback variances tied to Graphic Packaging International’s planned automated warehouse at 1421 North Pitcher Street, extending the variances to June 11, 2026.

John Patterson, project manager for Graphic Packaging, told the board the company has shifted capital to address an unplanned environmental project at another facility and is managing multiple concurrent projects. “We’re at a 65% design engineering view, so we’re well along the way,” Patterson said. He told the board the company plans to submit for site plan review in the first quarter of next year and does not plan to start major civil work until spring 2027.

City staff explained the board’s timing test for a time extension: if Graphic Packaging starts the site plan review process before the time extension lapses, the variances remain active and the project advances to the next approval step. Staff said the extension is appropriate if the board finds just cause for the delay.

A motion to approve the six‑month extension was offered and adopted during the meeting. The board approved the finding of fact and the extension, and Patterson thanked members for accommodating the company’s schedule.

The extension preserves the variances while the applicant completes design and begins formal site plan review. No new conditions beyond the procedural requirement to enter site plan review were imposed at the meeting.