Kalamazoo Planning Commission Denies Car Wash Rezoning Near Asylum Lake Preserve
Kalamazoo community members pack the Kalamazoo Planning Commission meeting in city hall Tuesday night.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Kalamazoo residents packed city hall during the Kalamazoo Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night as the commission decided on whether to rezone and remove natural feature protection land near the Asylum Lake Preserve.
A request to rezone and remove natural feature protection on 18.5 acres located on Stadium Drive and South Drake Drive was submitted by Haji Tehrani, president and CEO Drive and Shine. City staff supported the move to rezone the property from residential to community commercial use but not the request to remove the NFP overlay. Matthew Van Dyk, Tehrani’s attorney, said that the rezoning request was in accordance to the Kalamazoo Master Plan 2025 that intended for the land to be zoned for commercial use.
“All we are asking is for the zoning to conform with the clear intent of the Master Plan," Van Dyk said.
Community Reaction
Kalamazoo residents voiced their opposition to the rezoning requests with signs in the commission chambers.
Residents showed opposition with two petitions with 9,396 signatures combined before the meeting. The reaction continued during the commission meeting’s public comment with many voicing concerns over noise and water pollution, wildlife and traffic and occasional personal attacks, like when one community member compared Tehrani to the Once-ler, a character from Dr.Seuss’ Childrens book, The Lorax.
Commission Vote
Haij Tehrani (center) with his attorney, Matthew Van Dyk (right) listen as the commission votes to reject the request to remove the NFP overlay early Wednesday morning.
The commission voted on the requests after midnight on Wednesday. The request to remove the NFP overlay on the three parcels was unanimously rejected by the commission. After debate, all but Commissioner Wissner voted against the first request to rezone one of the parcels from residential to community commercial. The second request to rezone the neighboring parcel was rejected as well. Tehrani’s team left the chambers before the third vote was held.
Chris Wills, one of the petitioners against the project, said she was thrilled with the vote.
“I’m very proud of our commission. They did the right thing. They chose the land and the use of the land as the most important thing,” said Wills.
The Kalamazoo Planning Commission’s vote is a recommendation to Kalamazoo City Commission to deny the request by the Tehrani. The Kalamazoo City Commission will decide to either reject, approve or approve in the planning commission’s recommendation in parts.