Public urges purchase of 4301 Stadium Drive to protect Asylum Lake Preserve; city clerk notes county involvement
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Summary
Speakers at public comment pressed the commission to help preserve a parcel near Asylum Lake Preserve and urged the city to consider acquisition or eminent domain; the clerk clarified the parcel acquisition is a county project and a resolution about the property was included in the commission packet for information.
Multiple residents urged the City Commission on Nov. 17 to preserve the green space adjacent to Asylum Lake Preserve and to move toward acquisition of the 4301 Stadium Drive parcel.
Robert Pilish said petition drives with roughly 13,000–14,000 signatures back efforts to save the site and asked the city to offer the owner what was paid for the property to avoid commercial development. Iris Potter, a volunteer with Dignity in Motion, echoed support for conservation and told commissioners to consider eminent domain as an option if necessary.
Clerk Burnham noted a resolution in the meeting packet that would direct staff to initiate acquisition of the 4301 Stadium Drive property for conservation purposes; however, COO Lamb later clarified that the McDonald’s parcel acquisition is a Kalamazoo County project, not a city‑led purchase. The clerk listed the resolution as informational in the packet and invited questions.
Public commenters framed the parcel as part of the Asylum Lake Preserve buffer, described repeated community engagement on the issue, and urged the commission to act to protect the natural watershed and mature trees. Members of the public asked the commission to place the matter on a future agenda for action and to consider purchase or campaign‑style fundraising efforts to preserve the land.