Kalamazoo Commission seeks larger venue for first reading of Asylum Lake rezoning ordinance
Commissioners unanimously voted to direct staff to identify a more suitable date and potentially a larger venue for the first reading of an ordinance that would rezone 4301 Stadium Drive, the Asylum Lake property.
During Monday’s regular business meeting, the Kalamazoo City Commission discussed logistics for the upcoming first reading of an ordinance that would rezone 4301 Stadium Drive, the Asylum Lake property. The agenda item originally called for scheduling the first reading, but commissioners instead focused on whether the meeting should be moved to a larger venue to improve public access.
Commissioners cited concerns about accessibility, noting that some residents cannot stand in long public comment lines or remain in a standing-room-only space for extended periods. Commissioner Slaby also raised the idea of reinstating phone call-ins for public comment.
The commission considered January 26, 2026, as the date for the first reading, but Mayor Anderson noted the city’s annual MLK Awards are scheduled for that day. He said the celebratory nature of the event would conflict with a likely hours-long public hearing featuring significant community feedback.
After further discussion, commissioners unanimously voted to amend the agenda item to remove the January 26 date and direct staff to identify a more suitable date and potentially a larger venue. Watershed Voice will report updates as they become available.
During a November 6 Planning Commission meeting that went past midnight, the planning commission unanimously recommended 7-0 against the rezoning. That item now moves to the City Commission to consider while taking into account the planning commissions recommendation.
Other business
The commission approved a $2.5 million contract with Hurley & Stewart for the design of Arcadia Creek Phases One through Three, funded through a PROTECT grant . The project represents the next stage in the city’s long-running work to restore Arcadia Creek’s natural flow and reduce flood risk downtown. Commissioners also approved selling 459 N. Rose St. to Kalamazoo County for $200,000 , and held a first reading of an ordinance to amend sections of Chapter 38 of the city code to change drinking-water rates effective January 1, 2026 . The update begins the city’s annual process of adjusting customer water rates for the upcoming fiscal year.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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