Quote:
Originally Posted by deja vu
There was a request on the November 12, 2020 meeting agenda for three zoning variances related to 1211 S. Westnedge Ave. This is currently the site of a derelict Knights Inn that was built in the early 1960's. The LIFT Foundation - a local, non-profit, low-income housing provider, wants to purchase the property and convert it into 60 studio apartments. They plan to keep the existing skeleton of the building and pretty much overhaul all of the materials & finishes, inside & out. I think this is a great idea, and honestly, I'm pretty sure that this Knights Inn is already a long-term home for many of its occupants. The three variances requested included:
- A request to allow dwelling units on a ground floor level in a commercial zone (CN-1);
- A request to allow for smaller lot areas per dwelling unit (627 SF Ea. vs. the minimum 1,800 SF required by ordinance); and
- A request for an off-street parking variance to allow for a total of 38 spaces, where a minimum of 46 would be required. The argument here is that some residents will be elderly and others will be too poor to afford a car, and the property is on the public transit route.
All three variance requests were granted unanimously. |
Kalamazoo -
Site plan review drawings have been
submitted for the conversion of the Knights Inn into new studio apartments / transitional housing. The project is now named "LodgeHouse" and the design work is by local firm INFORM Architecture, which does a lot of good work in the social equity realm. Homeless residents have already been relocated to this complex ahead of the expansive remodeling that is planned. Visually, this will be a marked improvement along the S. Westnedge corridor, to say nothing of the positive impact of its intended use -
Source:
City of Kalamazoo / INFORM Architecture
In a similar vein, the new Women & Children's shelter downtown is cruising along. Construction cam screen grab from today -
Source:
Youtube | Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries