Environmental Concerns Committee Votes to Recommend Two New Green Zoning Districts to the City Commission

The Environmental Concerns Committee voted unanimously on 8/19/26 to recommend that the City Commission direct City Planning to establish Green Space and Conservation zoning districts in the City's zoning ordinance. We're proud that this recommendation goes forward alongside a 3-page letter ALPA prepared, proposing the two districts and laying out the case for them.

Currently, Kalamazoo has no zoning designation that fits lands like the Asylum Lake Preserve (which is currently zoned 'Residential') or the many other publicly used green spaces and conservation lands across the city.

Our letter to this commission and the city at large ends with the following requests:

1. Create a Green Space Zoning District and a Conservation Zoning District in our zoning ordinance;

2. Reflect these designations on the Future Land Use Map now, while it is being updated through Imagine Kalamazoo 2035, so the map and the new districts work together to guide development;

3. Apply the districts directly to public and institutional land already functioning as green space or conservation land, and allow private owners to opt in;

4. Study which parcels across Kalamazoo's neighborhoods would benefit from these designations; and

5. Bring a draft framework back to the community for input and eventual implementation.

ALPMC Adopts Recommended Provisions for the Asylum Lake Preserve Interlocal Agreement

On 4/9/26, the Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council (ALPMC) adopted a set of recommended provisions to guide the drafting of the formal Interlocal Agreement (ILA) that will govern Kalamazoo County's stewardship of Asylum Lake Preserve following its transfer from Western Michigan University. The document was prepared by the ALPMC Transition Subcommittee and reflects concerns and priorities raised during the Council's February 12, 2026 meeting. An Interlocal Agreement is a binding legal contract between governmental entities that establishes specific obligations, rights, and procedures — in this case, for how the Preserve will be managed going forward. A central theme throughout the document is the use of enforceable language ("shall" and "will") rather than aspirational statements, ensuring that the County's preserve-specific obligations are legally binding rather than advisory.

The recommended provisions cover fifteen areas, including preserving the Preserve's ecological identity and name, incorporating existing governing documents such as the 2004 Declaration of Conservation Restrictions and the 2023 Ecological Management Plan as binding exhibits, establishing a formal community advisory structure to replace the dissolving Council, and ensuring continuity of ongoing ecological work such as prescribed burns, invasive species control, and water quality monitoring. The document also addresses archaeological review before ground disturbance, safeguards for the Preserve's dedicated endowment fund, and a clear enforcement mechanism allowing WMU and the public to hold the County accountable if obligations are not met. ALPA will continue to monitor the ILA drafting process and advocate for these provisions to be reflected in the final agreement.

Proposed Transfer of Asylum Lake Preserve from Western Michigan University (WMU) to Kalamazoo County Parks

On 2/12/26, the WMU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allow negotiations with the County toward a formal transfer agreement. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a formal but non-binding agreement between parties that outlines their shared intentions, roles, and objectives as a framework for working together, often in advance of a binding contract. It is expected that the County Board of Commissioners will also vote to enter the MOU during their 2/17/26 meeting.

The Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council also met on 2/12/26, where the County Parks Director and WMU vice president for Government Relations addressed ALPA's questions. ALPA has now engaged with Kalamazoo County Parks, WMU, and the Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council (ALPMC) regarding this proposed transfer. The following summary reflects ALPA’s current understanding of the terms outlined in the MOU, including details from public conversations, between Kalamazoo County and WMU.

Denied: Commercial Rezone Request for 4301 Stadium Dr.

Dozen’s of public comments in opposition to rezoning resulted in the City Commission voting unanimously to deny the proposed commercial rezoning request for the intersection of Stadium and Drake, adjacent to the Preserve. In the video below, ALPA delivers a five-part public comment in opposition to rezoning. Just before ALPA begins their comment, several other current and past ALPA members speak on the issue as well.

(MLive coverage) (WMUK coverage) (City Commission meeting on youtube). 

We're so grateful to all who submitted well-researched statements and stood up to give personal and organizational testimonies against the proposed change. 

ALPA Board Member, Wendy Denning giving public comment. Other board members in background, wearing green ALPA t-shirts (from left to right: Tom Howes, Dok Stevens, Judy Huxmann). ALPA volunteers and community members in line and crowd.

ALPA Continues Work to Stop Rezoning of 4301 Stadium Dr.

January 2026 | The result of an intense information campaign by ALPA, with the help of many community members and organizations, was that the City Planning Commission voted in November, to not recommend the zoning change request for the property at 4301 Stadium Dr. The City Commission will ultimately decide the request at its January 26th meeting. ALPA has continued working tirelessly with neighborhood and relevant organizations, news sources and social media to remind the community to continue to voice their opposition to this rezoning by contacting City Commissioners and/or attending the meeting on January 26th in person or by zoom and phone.

ALPA Hosts Informational Meeting Regarding Rezoning Request

October 23, 2025 | Around 50 interested community members attended the meeting hosted by ALPA to inform the public and help direct efforts regarding the proposed rezoning of the corner of Stadium & Drake roads. ALPA board members Dok Stevens, Josh Kieser and John Kreuzer each presented detailed facts about the history of the efforts to establish and protect the Preserve, the environmental and safety threats to nature and the general population, and finally specific ways to oppose the rezoning request from residential to commercial. Questions, comments and refreshments rounded out the successful gathering and a copy of the presentation is posted under Current Issues.

Volunteers Continue Important Work in Preserve

September 27, 2025 | Thank you so much to the volunteers who showed up for our Fall Volunteer Day. It was a beautiful morning and we got a lot accomplished. We wrapped young trees to help protect them from deer, prepared areas within the Preserve where Oak trees will be planted and collected trash. It was great to see everyone! We hope you'll join us for our next volunteer morning

Summer Work Day Volunteers Tag Trees for Future Protection

August 23, 2025 | A dedicated and energetic group of about 12 volunteers enjoyed the late summer morning helping to tag trees and learn about which trees will need protection from the weather, beavers and deer. On September 27, volunteer crews will go back and either wrap these same trees with protective devices or wider fencing. The oaks and hickory trees are flagged for special attention. ALPA hopes to keep these native hardwoods thriving in the preserve for many years to come.

History Walk Attracts Over 70 Participants

May 24, 2025 | Mark Hoffman, the knowledgeable historian of the preserve who has first hand experience and is one of the driving forces in achieving the protected status for the land, offered to a crowd of over 70 people, a history talk/tour of Asylum Lake Preserve from 1880s to early 1970s. He had photos and maps from back then and also photos of the cottages and residences that were built during the Hospital days which have just a few remnants left on the ground. It was interesting to be standing in the preserve and imagining what it may have looked like. The morning weather was pleasant and walkers of all ages enjoyed the info, the exercise and the delicious snacks. More historical information can be found here

Although this tour focused on the white people time of this land, it is hoped that in the future to have a discussion of the land and its people prior to 1880.

It is important to know that ALPA is working hard to build a community of like-minded and supportive people who love the preserve. As the preserve is safe for now we will still have challenges ahead concerning the corner of Drake and Stadium. For now things are quiet on the surface with no publicly known plans. But please stay alert to calls to show up at City Hall, or write letters if it becomes necessary. For now, Enjoy the preserve, leave nothing behind.

Lake Levels Continue to Fluctuate

May 2025 | While the lake levels continue to fluctuate, volunteers have been trying to stay ahead of the beavers and other floating debris at the area where the lake drains into the creek and Little Asylum Lake. More volunteers are always welcome as this seems to be a never-ending job.