1518 Olmstead Rd, Kalamazoo, MI

Planned Unit Development District

Planned Unit Development provides a regulatory option that is intended to provide a degree of flexibility so as to achieve development that is in accord with the Township’s Master Plan; economy and efficiency in the use of land, natural resources, energy, and in the provision of public services and utilities; useful open space particularly suited to the proposed development; conservation of natural features; and, development that satisfies the needs of Township residents. Furthermore, Planned Unit Development is intended to encourage innovation in land use, particularly on sites with significant natural, historical, and architectural value, or on sites that exhibit difficult development constraints. Planned Unit Development allows for a mix of land uses and clustering of residential structures, so as to reduce development costs, preserve natural features, and maintain open space. Planned Unit Development is intended to further the objectives of the Master Plan, particularly the following: Promote high quality mixed use in unique and identifiable neighborhoods in the Township.; Provide opportunities for hamlet style shopping and special events to make the community a destination in the Kalamazoo area.; Provide parks that promote recreational activities, including linkages to the Kalamazoo River.; Provide pedestrian and bicycle amenities to create active links between residential, shopping, employment, and service opportunities.; Provide for opportunities for a variety of residential building types, using traditional neighborhood design concepts.; Create a set of regulations that encourages development of traditional building forms, placement, and relationships.; Permit, where appropriate, reduced front yards and side or rear entry garages.; Incorporate natural features, such as ravines and topography, into residential design.; Ensure adequate traffic patterns based on maintenance and enhancement of the county road system.; Encourage a balanced mix of uses, under unified control, allowing for implementation of architectural standards.; Emphasize the human scale, focusing on people, pedestrian activity, and connections.; Encourage a diversity of lot sizes, housing sizes, and architectural designs.