On Thursday, October 1, 2026, ALPA board members Dok Stevens and Jimmy Lane delivered public comments at a City of Kalamazoo Planning Commission meeting. In their comments, the board members summarized a two-page letter ALPA sent (read it here) to the Commission before the meeting. The letter responded in four points to questions and concerns the Planning Commission raised about the green zoning proposal at its 9/3 meeting.
After public comment, commissioners discussed the proposal at length. They thanked ALPA for the follow-up letter and expressed interest in moving the issue forward at the city level.
Notable quotes from the Planning Commission:
”I remember talking about green space zoning designations ages ago, when we had our joint meeting…we had a joint meeting with the Natural Features Protection Board and another zoning board as well. I asked the same question – why are green spaces zoned residential? That doesn’t make sense, because that’s not what they are…so I’m very glad to see where this goes forward.” - Commissioner Bissonnette
”IK2035 is kind of the perfect time to be talking about these things.” - Commissioner Curtiss
“I would be greatly looking forward to something that would be conducive toward the green space zoning being included in the next version of the Master Plan that we see.” - Commissioner Curtiss
”I would maybe ask [city] staff or city attorney’s office…at some future meeting, we could learn a little bit more about what it would take to see that zoning district adopted.” - Commissioner Audette-Bauman
ALPA board member Dok Stevens delivers a public comment, summarizing ALPA’s letter to the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission’s discussion regarding ALPA’s green zoning proposal: 4min