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Zoning board OKs natural‑features variances for three West Cork Street lots, adds native‑plant conditions
Summary
The City of Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals on July 9 approved variances allowing duplexes and a shared driveway to encroach into protected slopes at 132, 114 and 112 West Cork Street, contingent on shade‑tolerant seed and restoration with native trees and shrubs. Approval passed by recorded votes, each 5–1.
The Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals voted July 9 to approve natural‑features protection variances for three West Cork Street parcels so a developer can build duplexes served by a single shared driveway.
Jeremy Cole, owner of Statewide Rentals LLC, told the board the Natural Features Protection (NFP) Review Board has reviewed and recommended the relief, and that the applicant narrowed the request from five lots to three to reduce slope disturbance. "The NFP review board reviewed this project and approved the requested relief," Cole said, adding the change cut corridor‑wide regulated slope disturbance from about 5,630 square feet to roughly 3,025 square feet — a 46% reduction.
The applicant accepted the NFP condition of using a shade‑tolerant native seed mix on disturbed slopes, and city staff asked the board to add a second condition requiring restoration of damaged areas with native trees and shrubs. Board member Beth moved to approve the variances for 132, 114 and 112 West Cork Street and to include two conditions: shade‑tolerant grass seed (the NFP condition) and restoration of disturbed areas with native trees and shrubs; the motion was seconded and carried.
One nearby resident, Molly Adams of Ash Street, spoke in opposition, citing traffic, erosion and neighborhood character concerns and urging the board to consider approving "2 to 3 duplexes, not the 5" planned for the area. "I know we have a housing crisis in Kalamazoo... I'm not without empathy or compassion, but I have concerns that need to be voiced," Adams said.
Board discussion focused narrowly on the NFP standards. A board member summarized staff analysis: "The only thing that's holding him up is natural features," noting the zoning permits higher density in RM‑15 but protected‑slope rules can block buildable area. Members and staff emphasized that driveway location and traffic safety fall under other city departments (public services and the traffic engineer), not the ZBA.
Each of the three variance requests was approved in recorded roll‑call votes. For the primary variance parts for 132 West Cork Street, the tally was Hahn — yes; Werk — yes; Holler — yes; Vanden Humber — yes; Harrington — no; Urban — yes (5–1). The other two properties carried by the same 5–1 margin. The approvals incorporate the NFP board condition (shade‑tolerant seed) and the board's added requirement that disturbed areas be restored with native trees and shrubs.
The decisions allow the applicant to proceed with detailed engineering and building‑permit steps with the understanding that protections listed in the approvals (fencing, erosion controls, seed mix, native plantings and utility placement) must be satisfied before or during construction. The board recorded the findings of fact and closed the public hearing for these items.
