Kalamazoo, Michigan, has long struggled with vacant lots, slow permitting, and zoning hurdles that kept new housing from reaching the market. In recent years, though, the city has taken a creative, proactive approach — and it's seeing results.
Dozens of new homes have appeared in Kalamazoo neighborhoods, built quickly, affordably, and in ways that preserve community character. Buyers and renters can move in sooner, small developers can invest without getting mired in endless approvals, and residents can enjoy neighborhoods that aren't pockmarked with vacant lots.
According to Rebekah Kik, the deputy city manager of Kalamazoo, city staff brought about this transformation through a two-pronged approach.
First, they removed barriers to development by updating the city's zoning. Kik helped spearhead a major reform package, coordinating with state and county agencies, as well as partner organizations. The package legalized accessory dwelling units, reduced parking minimums, and greatly reduced setback requirements and minimum lot sizes.
Second, they provided resources to make development easier. Kik herself launched a Housing Development Fund to provide small developers with gap funding at extremely low rates.
One of the most significant steps the city took to make development easier was creating a portfolio of pre-approved housing plans. These plans reduce friction by eliminating repeated permit reviews, confusing code interpretations, and unexpected delays. Kalamazoo's portfolio of designs includes duplexes, ADUs, and narrow “infill” homes, all of which fit Kalamazoo’s character, comply with building codes, and come bundled with all necessary permits.
Kalamazoo officials and staff didn't just throw together a few plans. They actually partnered with a local nonprofit to build homes themselves, walking through the entire process to see where bottlenecks and obstacles occurred. That hands-on experience revealed numerous hidden friction points, including a surprise $18,000 charge to connect a water line. With these insights, the city was able to streamline procedures, clarify requirements, and create a smoother path for anyone using the pre-approved plans.
The city's momentum continues to this day. Kalamazoo officials and staff are planning to use the portfolio of pre-approved plans to infill a 15-acre piece of land, which currently holds a single old building and an enormous parking lot.
Kalamazoo’s success shows what’s possible when a city takes on the hard work of changing its rules and making sure those rules are usable. By testing the process themselves, city officials and staff created a system where new homes can be built faster, cheaper, and with far less risk.
Other communities can follow the same path. With leaders like Rebekah Kik sharing Kalamazoo’s experience, the playbook is already within reach. Sign up for a live workshop with Kik on September 25 to learn how pre-approved plans can help your city turn vacant lots into vibrant neighborhoods.
