Designers, neighbors spar over scale of proposed five‑story mixed‑use building at 802 South Burdick

Developers from Boggan Developments and design lead Jason Novotny of TowerPinkster presented the latest iteration of a proposed five‑story, mixed‑use building at 802 South Burdick (the VINE project) to the Kalamazoo Historic District Commission, explaining material choices and massing intended to reduce the building’s perceived scale.

"The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with historic materials, features, size, scale, and proportion," Jason Novotny said while outlining the project’s use of two brick tones, metal panels and a lighter fifth floor to visually step the building down.

The commission and nearby residents raised design concerns. Commissioner Dana said after review, "I do not intend to vote in favor of this," citing the building’s height and massing in relation to adjacent houses. Multiple commissioners described the building as visually large for the immediate block and asked whether design changes could reduce the perceived scale on the Burdick frontage.

Why it matters: the proposed building would add street‑level commercial space (restaurant, small market, health facility/gym, preschool) and upper‑floor residential units at a prominent corner in the Vine neighborhood. Developers and designers said the five‑story height is permitted by zoning, was shaped by earlier community planning efforts and is intended to meet program needs and financial feasibility.

Key details from the presentation and discussion:
- Developer Jamari Boggan (Boggan Developments) and Jason Novotny (TowerPinkster, Vice President of Design) described a five‑story corner building with two brick tones, stepped facades along Vine and a lighter material at the fifth floor to reduce apparent height.
- Jason said the First Floor is subject to a zoning requirement to have 70% glass between 2 and 8 feet above grade; balconies are proposed on the Vine elevation and the south/corner massing steps down to a three‑story portion near the preschool.
- The project would provide fewer than 10 parallel on‑street parking spaces and most required parking at the rear; entrances are proposed from both Vine and Burdick.
- Designers pointed to prior community charrettes and a 2016 strategic plan, and said partners included the Vine Neighborhood Association, LISC and Bronson Hospital.

Community reaction: Nadine Brios Rivas, an architectural designer and Vine neighborhood resident, supported the project’s transition in height toward the hospital campus. Resident Barb Shell asked whether Kalamazoo fire ladder trucks could reach the top; staff confirmed coordination with the Fire Marshal for access and compliance.

Commission process issues: Commissioners noted they only had a quorum at the meeting and that a unanimous vote would be required for approval that night. Staff advised the commission’s options were approval, denial, or postponement. Commissioners discussed conditional approval language and the possibility of asking the design team to return with alternative renderings that further step down or break the Burdick façade.

Developers urged timely approval to preserve funding and momentum. Jamari Boggan said the project has been in neighborhood planning for years and that delay could jeopardize financing and partner commitments: "This neighborhood discussions have been going on outside of us for now almost 10 years."

What was decided: the commission did not record a final vote on the project during this meeting. Commissioners were split — some expressing support for the materials and rhythmic facades, others explicitly opposing the five‑story height as drawn. Commissioners directed discussion toward potentially asking the applicant for revised design options or scheduling a special meeting; staff noted practical scheduling and quorum constraints.

Next steps: commissioners suggested the team could return with revised drawings that explore stepping down the corner or upper floors, or the commission could consider conditional approval with follow‑up design review. Staff offered to pursue options for a special meeting or follow‑up review and invited the applicant to meet with commissioners for more detailed feedback.