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Staff previews revised NFP guide and GIS resources; board weighs clarifications and training topics
Summary
City staff reviewed a draft Natural Features Protection (NFP) guide and proposed edits to clarify the entitlements/development slide, add links to GIS (NFP layer and aerial imagery), update fees and point users to external resources; the board suggested disclaimers, sample cost guidance and recurring training topics.
City planning staff presented an updated draft of the Natural Features Protection (NFP) guide and asked board members to review sections and suggest changes to improve clarity for applicants.
Staff noted the packet included the current draft and highlighted several improvements: embedded links to the city’s GIS (including an NFP layer and high-resolution aerial imagery), explicit references to the NFP ordinance and a supplemental application, fee updates (staff said the NFP fee may be $115 rather than $110) and links to external resources such as the Michigan Eagle wetland map viewer to help applicants find qualified consultants.
Board members offered specific feedback. Several urged changing the title of a slide labeled “development process” (or adding a disclaimer) because the graphic maps a high-level entitlement path rather than the full business and financial development workflow; members warned the title could mislead inexperienced applicants into thinking it is a comprehensive how-to. Members suggested including sample budgets or a checklist of recommended consultant types (e.g., ISA-certified arborist, licensed surveyor, geologist) so applicants know when professional analyses are required by ordinance.
Staff also asked whether board members would like periodic staff presentations on technical topics. Members recommended recurring trainings on ethics for regulatory boards, stormwater and compliance and proposed joint-board trainings with other city advisory bodies.
Separately, the board asked why the Kalamazoo Street Tree Map (TreeKeeper) is no longer publicly available. Staff said the vendor license with Davey Resource Group lapsed; the city retains the underlying tree data and could publish it as a public GIS layer, though some vendor analytics (carbon sequestration and tree-value metrics) may be lost without a third-party license.
Staff said they will split the guide into sections, circulate updates for targeted review and follow up on the TreeKeeper availability and potential City Commission scheduling for the recommended board appointment.
