(Once link above clicked, go to "I Want To..." at top of page, then "Report..."
* Vermeulen Property: January 27 UPDATE
Rezoning Request Withdrawn

The ODWNA has just heard from our City Planner:

1) The request to rezone this property from Residential to Community Commercial, and to remove the NFP Overlay, will NOT be on the February 3rd City Commission agenda.

This means there is no need for people to go to that meeting to voice their thoughts on this issue

2) At the request of the applicant, the items were removed from the agenda.

3) The applicant is reviewing his options for moving forward and no new City Commission date has been set or requested.

4) The applicant can certainly:
  • Reschedule his application hearing for a later date
  • Modify his application to ask for a different commercial or residential zoning.
    • If that happens, the new request will again have to first go through the Planning Commission for a recommendation.
So – the ODWNA will stay on top of this issue and update you as it progresses.

Thank you all for your involvement; no matter what the issue is, it is always important for all city residents to participate in the process and have their voices heard!

What can YOU do?  Stay tuned; we will post updated information as we learn it.  We will post updates both here on our website and the Winchell Neighborhood FB page.
* Consumers Energy Lindbergh/Phillips Line Upgrade Project
(through the Winchell & Westnedge Hill Neighborhoods)
January 2020 Update

We just received a couple of updates regarding this project from CE:

1) The forestry work/tree cutting for this project will begin next week (1/12). They will start at Stadium Dr. and work south along Broadway Ave. before heading east down Parkview Ave. The construction/line upgrades will follow the same path with that work starting January 20. There are some restrictions on winter work in the City of Kalamazoo. Functionally CE can’t work on the main roads (Whites Rd., Parkview Ave.) until spring. So CE will work on the less traveled (residential) streets now and try to get work done on those before spring. The forestry work has already started in Westnedge Hill on their residential streets.
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2) The city did receive a $2,500 tree grant this year from CE. That money will be used to replace trees that are removed in city right-of-way areas for the project.
As reminder, we met with CE in September 2019 in a public meeting at Winchell Elem. to have CE explain in detail the scope of their project. You can find details of that meeting on our website HERE
*ODWN Neighborhood Plan
January Progress Report

Our Plan is complete!! 

Next Steps:
  1. Review the Plan HERE 
  2. Incorporate any last pieces of input
  3. ​Finalize content, photos, etc.
  4. Present to Planning & City Commissions for inclusion in the City's Master Plan; Feb. 2020
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  • You can also download a full copy of the City's Master Plan and Future Land Use Map HERE

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The Master Plan states that Neighborhood Plans will:
• Align with the Strategic Vision and Master Plan at the neighborhood scale.
• Develop individual strategies needed to achieve neighborhood completeness.
• Establish a unique neighborhood vision, goals, and actions for implementation.
• Establish relationships within the neighborhood to support implementation.
• Use IK 2025 input from residents as a place to start.
* "Ring" Hardware - INFORMATION UPDATE:
On November 20th, 2019 the ODWNA hosted members of Kalamazoo’s Department of Public Safety at our monthly neighborhood meeting.  The topic of conversation was Amazon’s Ring Neighbor’s App and their accompanying security camera technology.  In an effort to ensure that our neighbors have a complete understanding of these technologies, we wanted to summarize a couple of key pieces of information that were not discussed at the event.

As with any new technology purchase or app installation, we always encourage you to do additional research so that you fully understand how these applications may impact you.

Here are a couple of links that will help you gather more information so that you can determine for yourself whether or not the RING and Neighbors App are right for you.
  
The more information we have the better.  We all share the same end goal of creating a safer neighborhood for all and believe that it is important that we fully understand all the implications these new technologies have before we begin using them. ​
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*Neighborhood Crime

Here's a great new (FREE to you) initiative that partners KDPS and "Ring!"












* You can also put the FREE app on your PC or Mac if you don't have a smartphone!  Just go HERE 

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What should you do to report something that is of a non-emergency nature?  Well, our friends at KDPS tell us you should:
​KDPS is here to help us...but they need our help as well!  By reporting non-emergency issues, KDPS can track and identify trends in our neighborhood, and not only respond, but understand how to best be pro-active to prevent crimes as well!
*City Contacts
  • Sgt. Keaton Nielsen of the Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety let us know that KDPS is always here for us. He stressed that if anyone ever has a (non-emergency) question or issue about public safety to not hesitate to contact him.  He can be reached here:
  • Yvonne Wright is our Rental Inspector.  Any questions or concerns you have about rental properties (or blight issues) can be addressed to her directly:
"Quality of Life" Issues/Who to Contact
Ordinance Enforcement

As a follow-up to recent neighbor concerns regarding nuisance/quality of life ordinance adherence,  we have listed on our Resource Links page the areas of concern as well as the City contact phone number you may call to report any perceived violations.  Our City Rental Inspector has assured us that any complaints registered with the city will be followed up on, and the person reporting the violation will remain anonymous.

You can also report violations via the City's website with their Report It! link 
Go HERE to read the full meeting minutes of this (or any) of our ODWNA Association meetings ​
As always, feel free to email us with your thoughts for the neighborhood!
February 19, 2020
​Winchell Elementary - Library 7:00PM
(meet your board & neighbors @ 6:30pm)

Topic: We Built This City
Speaker: Lynn Houghton

See our full 2019-20 Speaker Series Lineup HERE

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** Our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE
*Applicants Sought for Foundation for Excellence Board of Directors
Accepted Now thru January 31

Applications are now being accepted for one open Stakeholder Director position on the Foundation for Excellence (FFE) Board of Directors. The role represents the area of Housing. Community members that would like to apply are encouraged to complete the online application form here.

You can detailed information about this position as well as the FFE here.
* Kalamazoo Sustainability Strategy
Give Your Feedback By January 31!

One of 10 main goals in the City’s Strategic Vision is Environmental Responsibility. This vision was formalized in the IK 2025 Master Plan and action items were developed as part of IK@Wo​rk. A specific goal in IK@Work is to, “develop, adopt, and maintain a Climate Action Plan and track progress.”

YOU can be a part of the process by taking the City's Sustainability Strategy Survey HERE (you can also find more information about this strategy at the same link)​
*Recycle Coach
Free App For Personalized Trash, Recycling Info. And More!
The City of Kalamazoo has launched of a mobile app (iPhone & Android) and website plug-in containing all of the information residents need to know about residential trash and recycling services, tailored specifically to your neighborhood.

Other features include:
  •  Search function, which allows the user to look up a specific item and find out if it is recyclable or not
  • "Report-a-problem" function that allows residents to report non-emergency municipal problems such as:  missed collections, illegal dumping, overflowing public garbage or recycling bins, potholes, burned out traffic or street lights, and more.
    • The "report-a-problem" feature utilizes the smartphone’s GPS and camera to locate and capture an image of the problem and sends the information directly to city staff.
  • Receive notifications regarding:
    • Emergencies (weather-related, water main breaks, boil water advisories)
    • Trash/recycling schedule changes
    • Sorting and/or collection tips & reminders

​The app is available for Android and iPhone users and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play for free by searching for “Recycle Coach”
*City Public Services Information
  • The Fall/Winter 2019-20 View From The Curb is available and full of very helpful information! Download it HERE​​
*Upcoming City Projects

Curious about a project that is happening in the City? Want to find out what street construction projects are planned this year? Wondering about upcoming parks projects?

All City-planned projects for 2019 can be found at: www.kalamazoocity.org/projects

Projects are identified on an interactive map that includes the project scope and estimate start and completion dates (actual dates are dependent on weather and other factors and may differ). You can also sign up for email updates on road construction at that website that will be provided approximately every two weeks.
*Kalamazoo County Smart911 Available
Now Available!

Public Safety Officials Encourage Residents to Sign Up For the Free Service That Provides Emergency Responders with More Information in the Event of an Emergency 
Public safety officials in Kalamazoo County announced today that Smart911 is now available to all individuals in Kalamazoo County.  Smart911 is a free service that allows individuals and families to sign up online to provide key information to 9-1-1 call takers during an emergency.
Smart911 allows citizens to create a Safety Profile at   www.smart911.com for their household that includes any information they want 9-1-1 and response teams to have in the event of an emergency. When a citizen makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information.
*Are Your Service Water Pipes Made of Lead?
Check the map and database link below
Kalamazoo's municipal water system has about 4,300 known lead service lines at about 2,800 addresses out of a total of more than 46,000 service lines in the system.

At about 1,600 addresses, both the yard service lines and street service lines are lead. Of those addresses with one or the other, most of the lead pipes are yard service lines, according to city records.

You can go to an MLive article HERE to access the map and/or search the database to see if your address is listed.

Lead and Copper Program
The City offers free lead and copper testing kits to City of Kalamazoo water customers. In an effort to streamline the City’s Lead and Copper program and respond timely to customers, the City requests that all calls and inquiries be directed to (269) 337-8550.

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Here is a guide from the EPA, supplied to us by the City, that explains:
• How lead gets into the body
• About health effects of lead
• What you can do to protect your family
• Where to go for more information
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Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home
* Connect With City Government!
Connect with the city to receive news, updates, and alerts
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1)  Foundation For Excellence website

2) www.ImagineKalamazoo.com where the public can connect and collaborate with local decision makers and other residents on the future of our community.

3) www.kalamazoocity.org/connect  provides information on how residents can connect with the city to receive important information and updates.

4) The city has created an online newsletter. This bi-monthly publication will contain information about what is happening around the City and include news, alerts, meeting schedules & agendas, and events. Go HERE to sign up.

ODWNA Statement of Purpose

-Preserve and enhance the neighborhood living concept in the area.
-Protect the natural beauty of the area.
-Encourage the beautification, physical well-being and neighborhood spirit of the residential area.
-Constructively assist the Kalamazoo City and County Planning Commissions.
-Provide a forum for open and frank discussion of different points of view on neighborhood development.
-Provide for communication on matters of neighborhood interest to residents.

The Oakland Drive/Winchell Neighborhood Association was founded in 1973 in response to the City of Kalamazoo's proposal to widen Oakland Drive, which would have required the removal of many trees.
2019-20 ODWNA Board Members
President - Peter Kushner
Vice President - Chris Shook
Treasurer - Kathy Shook
Secretary - Chris Bovid

Board Members at-large:
Eric Boersma
​Diana Morton-Thompson
Paul Scott

Oakland Drive - Winchell Neighborhood Map

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ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019