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* Neighborhood/City Deer Management SURVEY
May UPDATE - Take the "Deer Survey" Here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kzoodeer As you are likely aware, the City of Kalamazoo’s urban deer population (and the issues associated with them) in many neighborhoods (not just ours) has led to increased safety and quality of life challenges. City staff continues to receive complaints, and neighborhood Facebook posts are frequently filled with concerns. In response, the ODWNA is leading a group of 15 neighborhood association and other relevant association leaders who have formed a citizen ad hoc committee to work with City staff to research this issue and develop an acceptable and effective Deer Management Plan to address these challenges. A critical component of any proposed plan is the solicitation and incorporation of as many citizen points of view as possible. It is also worth noting that the City’s Master Plan includes action items to "pursue a regional approach to maintaining the deer population at a safe level for deer and residents". As a first step, we would greatly appreciate you taking about 5 minutes to complete our "deer survey" so we can better understand the feelings and concerns of our fellow residents as they relate to our urban deer population. Here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kzoodeer * Natural Features Protection (NFP): Phase 2
UPDATED Draft Map Still Available for Public Comment Comments on the map will be taken at the NFP Review Board meeting on Tuesday, June 22 at 4:00 p.m. To review the full details of the draft NFP Overlay District map, text amendments, and to submit any comments, go HERE The NFP Review Board is recommending an expansion of the Natural Features Protection Overlay District. The NFP overlay district is a special zoning district in the City where new development projects have special standards to consider as part of the City’s zoning and building review process. The recommended expansion comes after a year of mapping natural features and seeking community input. The NFP Review Board is also recommending text changes to the zoning ordinance. These changes will help make the standards easier to interpret and apply. 
*Neighborhood STOP Sign Upgrades
Added STOP sign on westbound Winchell @ Rambling, and YIELD to STOP Sign Conversions The ODWNA has been advocating for safer streets based on our Neighborhood Plan goal of making our roads safer for all. As a result, we have worked with the city to have a number of sign changes made in our neighborhood. 1) New Winchell/Rambling 3-way STOP: The city has taken the following steps:
======================= 2) Yield to STOP Signs CLICK HERE for a map to see where all of the Yield to Stop sign conversions will take place. I'm sure we all hope that all drivers notice and pay attention to these changes, ourselves included! Our goal was simple - to help make our streets safer for all users. *Brush Collection Resumes
Monthly collection of brush resumes in May and runs through October. Residents can place out branches, twigs, and weeds for collection on the same day that bulk trash would occur. Items must be bundled, bagged, or boxed in biodegradable bags or cardboard. Full details and collection schedule HERE *Native Plants
Update: Further Info. and Plant Sales We had a great turnout (and interest!) in our February 2021 ODWNA meeting relating to native plants. As a follow up, you will find below further information regarding native plants, as well as opportunities for you to purchase native plants for this year! 1) Native Plants "Cheat Sheet" - thanks to our February speaker Linda Whitlock, you can download HERE a "cheat sheet" of native plant information for our area, as well as other valuable resources. 2) Local Native Plant Sales (click on the links for details): *Proposed S. Glen Park Bike Trail
February 2021 Update The ODWNA Board held a Zoom meeting with members of the City's Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) and the Parks & Recreation Director on February 4th to discuss outstanding questions, issues, and concerns both the board and neighbors we have heard from have regarding this proposed project. Our board's goal for meeting was to let PRAB and Kzoo Parks know and understand that we need much more detailed information regarding their proposal (trail parameters, NFP adherence, alignment to the ODWN Neighborhood Plan, etc.) than we have received to-date before we can accurately assess the project. The meeting was productive and all voices were heard. Next steps: the board is awaiting detailed answers to our written questions. Once we can review those, we will work to insure that a neighborhood meeting is held so all neighbors can weigh in on this proposal. ------- The ODWNA board will continue to communicate with Parks & Rec to gather additional proposal information and ensure that this (or any) proposal aligns with our Neighborhood Plan, and that two-way communication with our neighborhood takes place. *Inventory Kalamazoo 2022
Inventory Kalamazoo 2022 is a reconnaissance level history resource survey that photographs and documents the existing condition of structures made by people (houses, schools, stores, gas stations, parks). Every resource of any age within the City will be documented from the public right of way. Citizen volunteers will work in pairs to collect data in person for each structure. Looking for a way to get your steps in and enjoy new or familiar parts of the City? If so, you can get full details, review the training presentation, and sign up HERE 
*Land Preservation Initiative by
Stewards of Kleinstuck If you would like more information about this project to save and protect 12 acres of woodland next to the Kleinstuck Preserve, and/or donate to their cause, you can visit their "Keep Kalamazoo Wild" website HERE The Stewards of Kleinstuck is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization *ODWN Neighborhood Plan
APPROVED By City Commission 6/1/20 Our Neighborhood Plan is now a part of the City's Master Plan!
*City & Neighborhood Site Plans
The city regularly posts to their website active site plans for review and comment by the public. You can find all site plans HERE You can send any comments regarding a site plan to: siteplan@kalamazoocity.org COVID-19 Information
- Updated City information can be found here: https://www.kalamazoocity.org/news - Updated State of MI COVID-19 information can be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus -Updated KPS news can be found here: https://www.kalamazoopublicschools.com/Home.aspx * You can find a full list of COVID-19 resources HERE Stay safe, wash your hands, and take care of your family, friends, and your fellow citizens! 
*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 ================== 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
"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 |
Our next ODWNA Association meeting will be held Wednesday September 15, 2021
7:00pm in the Winchell Elementary Library (we should be back to in-person meetings!) Have a great summer; our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE *Kik Pool is scheduled to open
for the 2021 season Wednesday, June 9 The pool will be open for Lap Swim seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and Open Swim, Monday through Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Safety precautions will be in place to protect guests and masks will be required for guests who are not vaccinated while using the locker rooms but will not be required when outside at the pool. Fully vaccinated guests will not be required to wear masks. More information on Kik Pool is available at www.kzooparks.org/kikpool 
NEW: The SPRING/SUMMER 2021 View From The Curb
is now available and full of very helpful information! Download it HERE *Kalamazoo Farmers Market Reopens May 1st
AT MAYOR'S RIVERFRONT PARK This Season The Kalamazoo Farmers Market will open for the 2021 season this Saturday, May 1 at Mayor's Riverfront Park (251 Mills St.) from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Farmers Market has been temporarily relocated to Mayors’ Riverfront Park for the 2021 market season while improvements are underway at the Bank Street site. Masks are required when visiting the market and social distancing is advised. *NEW: EPS Recycling Program
Events will take place at Mayors Riverfront Park on July 31, October 30, and January 29. The city has initiated a pilot program for recycling Styrofoam, which is currently not accepted in the curbside recycling program. Click on the link below for further details on foam drop-off events where (and which) clean foam will be accepted for recycling by the Dart Company. https://www.facebook.com/events/280994153467900/?event_time_id=280994170134565 *Kalamazoo Public Safety Policies and Documents
Now Available for Public Review The City of Kalamazoo has published on their website Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) policies, training and recruiting documents, budget information, and union contracts and other information for public review at: www.kalamazoocity.org/kdpstransparency These documents are provided along with other relevant information such as: links to submit a FOIA request, information about the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeals board, and crime statistics. Additionally, the KDPS hiring process, the Department’s recruiting plan for 2020-2022, and a summary of the KDPS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Program are available for download. *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:
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” *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 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. ================== 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 Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home * Connect With City Government!
Connect with the city to receive news, updates, and alerts 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.
-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.
2020-21 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
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
ODWNA ~ P.O. BOX 20061 ~ Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019
