KALAMAZOO, MI -- Plans to build pedestrian-friendly housing and commercial development on 50 acres in downtown Kalamazoo will resume discussion at a public hearing.

City planning staff want to rezone 45 parcels between South Pitcher and Mills streets and between East Michigan Avenue and the Portage Creek/King Highway area to promote commercial, mixed-use development. A public hearing on the subject is scheduled for the Kalamazoo Planning Commission's next meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1.

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According to

, less than 2 percent of the residential units in downtown Kalamazoo are available for rent or purchase.

The increase in demand is causing developers to look at land and facilities adjacent to the central business district for new mixed-use projects, said Senior Development Planner Rob Bauckham.

City officials believe the east end of downtown Kalamazoo is close to reaching a "tipping point." The success of early projects along East Michigan and Kalamazoo avenues, like Shakespeare's Pub, Bells Eccentric Cafe and others have shown developers the area's potential.

Developments would be required to adhere to new design guidelines meant to foster a pedestrian-friendly environment.

New buildings would need to be at least 20 feet tall, constructed close to the front property lines, and have parking located in the rear or side of the lot.

They would also be required to include attractive facades containing durable materials and window space, and have front entrances facing the streets.

Whenever possible, building and site design would be also required to take advantage of Portage Creek, which cuts through many of the parcels. Balconies, porches, sitting areas and outdoor customer areas should offer a view of the creek.

Bike lanes will be included in the street areas and the street network will be required to offer multiple connective and circular routes to adjacent areas.

Drive-through facilities would be allowed with some regulation, limited to the side and rear of buildings.

Developments would be near downtown entertainment features like Food Dance Restaurant, the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange, Black Owl Cafe and Arcadia Ales.

Treystar developed the Arcadia Ales site and is currently working on an $11 million project hailed by city officials as the next major renovation. An overlooked former foundry building at 600 E. Michigan Ave. will be transformed into an office complex with sprawling communal spaces and an attached restaurant.

An original rezoning request included 59 parcels, though three parcel owners in that area, including Arvco Container Corp., expressed the desire to have their land remain industrially zoned. At its Oct. 6 meeting, the Planning Commission voted to postpone a decision on the request, and asked staff to meet with the stakeholders to discuss other options.

Arvco, which comprises a significant portion of the land area, would need a special use permit to expand under the old plan. Owner Greg Arvanigian said he felt the city was trying to push existing industry out of Kalamazoo with the rezoning.

Following additional review and discussions with the parcel owners, planning staff decided to remove 18 parcels from the rezoning request and to revisit the issue in the future if the industrial uses move or otherwise change.

The decision halved the scope of the rezoning, from around 100 acres to 50 acres.

The parcel owners were informed of this decision and expressed their support for it. Additionally, other requests including the option for drive-through coffee and orienting the buildings toward the river were expanded.

Pfizer Inc. maintains its cooling towers at 329 S. Pitcher St., which is within the proposed rezoning area. Representatives from the company provided no concerns about the rezoning request. The company could expand this facility on the site in the future, but would need a special use permit to do so.

Across the Kalamazoo River, Merchants Crossing is a collection of vacant commercial buildings and parcels acquired by the Kalamazoo County Land Bank.

Originally home to the Merchants Publishing business, the site has housed numerous businesses over the years, before falling into disrepair, vacancy, and eventually tax foreclosure in 2014 and 2015. The land bank has released requests for proposals that would transform previously blighted parcels into a vibrant and attractive hub to complement the nearby redevelopment.