Welcome to the Oakland Drive - Winchell Neighborhood Association website!

Master Plan 2025
*Imagine Kalamazoo 2025
Draft Master Plan & Future Land Use Map: Last Chance For ODWNA Citizen Comment

The City of Kalamazoo released a draft of the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 Master Plan for public review and comment in early August.

***The ODWNA Board found the vast majority of it to be positive and aspirational in nature.  We greatly appreciate all of the City’s work that they put into the Imagine Kalamazoo/Master Plan 2025 process, and we are pleased with the City’s willingness to continue the discussions with our Board and neighbors on critical issues.

Two issues, however, stood out to the Board that we felt required an immediate response from the City:

1) The ongoing discussions regarding the Future Use of the properties that front Stadium Dr. between Howard St. and Rambling Rd.
  • The City's initial plan (in the Draft Master Plan) was to designate them "Neighborhood Edge", which allows for mixed use (residential and commercial) development.
  • After much feedback and discussion with the City, they are now re-opening the discussion with our neighborhood as to what that Future Use should be.
    • So, THIS Wednesday meeting will be your best and last opportunity to weigh in on this critical decision that will impact our neighborhood for years to come.

***The ODWNA Board has examined this issue for over a month now, listening to neighbors and the City alike.  In response, we have developed a Position Statement regarding this issue, which you can read HERE 

2) Designating Winchell Ave. and Rambling Rd. "Connector" streets
  • The Board did not feel this definition (specifically “cross-city access”) accurately defines what should be the neighborhood-centric aspect of these roads; it instead works against our goal of eliminating “cut-through” traffic and excessive speeding on them that would instead be institutionalized into the Master Plan.
    • On the City’s version of the Framework of Streets Map presented at their 9/12/17 open house, these streets were no longer shown as “Connector” streets. The City agreed that both sections of these streets (Winchell Ave. and Rambling Rd.) would be re-designated on the final transportation map from “Connector” to a yet to be determined fifth class of street that will describe residential neighborhood streets.

Remember: YOU still have the opportunity to have your voice heard!

Our City Planner, Christina Anderson, will be our first speaker of the season (Wed. September 20). She will be reviewing the Master Plan and taking your feedback!

You can download a full copy of the Master Plan and Future Land Use Map HERE (once you get there, scroll down to the bottom of the page for the PDF links) the City when they become available.

Also note: our City Planner, Christina Anderson, will be our first speaker of the season (Wed. September 20). She will be reviewing the Master Plan and taking your feedback!
*Fall Hydrant Flushing in Our Neighborhood
September 20

Daytime flushing is from 7:30a.m. to 3p.m. and evening flushing from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Flushing does not affect the safety of the water supply. However, tap water may appear cloudy or discolored immediately after flushing. The City Public Services Department recommends residents run cold water in a utility sink or tub until it runs clear again. See map at right for the schedule. 
*Fall Leaf Collection Program
Begins October 30

Fall leaf pick-up begins on October 30 (check the streets list HERE). Residents should avoid placing leaves near mailboxes, utility poles and landscaped areas. Residents must also separate leaves from brush (branches or twigs).

Anything other than leaves or bags weighing more than 50 lbs. will NOT be taken. Please keep in mind an early snowfall can interfere with leaf pick-up. City employees working leaf pick-up also plow snow.
Fall/Winter 2017-18 View From The Curb HERE
*City Trash Ordinance 
Property owners in the City are reminded of their responsibilities to keep properties trash free throughout the year. Chapter 15A of the City of Kalamazoo Code of Ordinances (commonly known as the Trash Ordinance) states, "…All garbage must be stored in a watertight container that is constructed of metal, plastic or other durable material impervious to rodents, has a tight-fitting lid or cover, and is capable of being serviced without creating unsanitary conditions..."

After April 22, properties that are in violation of the ordinance will be issued a written citation allowing 10 days to clean up the property and a $77 fine. If the property is not cleaned up within 10 days, a crew will be dispatched to clean up the property on behalf of the property owner, who will be billed for the recovery of enforcement costs. 

Please take a proactive approach and help keep our city clean and inviting for everyone who lives, works, learns, or plays in Kalamazoo!
*City Contacts
  • Lt. Craig Habel of the Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety stopped by our February with two of his officers to introduce himself to the neighborhood and 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:
*Asylum Lake Preservation Association (ALPA)
Upcoming Meetings

The ALPA is a volunteer organization dedicated to assuring the the Preserve remains a natural open space, to see that it is preserved as a habitat for wildlife and continued use by the community.  You can visit their website for more information.

*No ALPA  meetings are held in the summer months
"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!
* REMINDER - the ODWNA does NOT meet in the months of June, July or August
=======================
September 20, 2017
7:00pm, Winchell Elementary Library
("Meet & Greet" your neighbors and the Board at 6:30pm)

MASTER PLAN & FUTURE LAND USE: CITIZEN REVIEW & FEEDBACK 
​Christina Anderson, City Planner

========================
** Our Board can always be reached via EMAIL HERE
Our 2017-18 Speaker Series lineup is final!
​Go HERE to see it...

Remember - ODWNA meetings are open to all!
​NON-Association neighbors are always welcome!
*City Commission Approves Switch To Single Stream Recycling
STARTS OCTOBER 1

Residents will need to request a new cart to continue to recycle. Bins will no longer be accepted after October 1. If you did not receive information in the mail, please contact recycle@kalamazoocity.org or (269) 337-8215 for assistance in getting a cart.

Key points to the change include:
  • Starting October 1, residents will no longer need to sort recyclables
  • Residents are welcome to keep their bins or return them to Republic
  • Delivery of carts will begin September 18.
  • Collection days will not change, however collection will begin occurring every other week starting October 1. An updated collection schedule will be included with your cart and included in the 2017-18 Fall/Winter View from the Curb (p. 1 and 2 HERE) 
  • Please continue to make sure recyclable material is clean, empty, and dry to minimize contamination.
Further information can be found on the City's website HERE.

*Environmental Concerns Committee
Become A Member!

If you are a resident of the City of Kalamazoo and have an interest in environmental issues, you are invited to become a member of the City of Kalamazoo Environmental Concerns Committee (ECC). The ECC meets once a month and monitors significant environmental trends affecting the City of Kalamazoo regarding environmental matters.

The Committee also serves as a citizen's forum for environmental issues, such as the State of Michigan law that bans the general sale and use of phosphorus-containing fertilizers on residential or commercial lawns.

ECC membership applications can be obtained by calling the City Clerk's Office at 1269) 337-8792 or by emailing cokcityclerk@kalamazoocity.org. Applications can be obtained from the City of Kalamazoo website HERE. Questions? Call John Paquin at 1269) 337-8737 or paquinj@kalamazoocity.org.
* 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.

Anyone on Kalamazoo's municipal water system can call the city at #269-337-8550 to set up a free appointment to have their water tested for lead.

==================
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.
-Encurage the beautification, physical well-being and neighborhod 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.
2017-18 ODWNA Board Members
President - Peter Kushner
Vice President - Chris Shook
Treasurer - Diana Morton-Thompson

Board Members at-large:
Barb Ross
Paul Scott
Kathy Shook

Oakland Drive - Winchell Neighborhood Map

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