NFP board approves Millen Park phase‑one improvements with site‑plan and tree‑protection conditions

The Natural Features Protection Review Board voted to approve phase‑one improvements at Millen Park (607 E. Kilgore Road) with conditions requiring full site‑plan review, tree‑protection fencing during work, implementation of conservation measures and approval by the city stormwater engineer.

Nolan, the city planner presenting the item, said the park — city‑owned and located at the southern limit of Kalamazoo — is in the NFP overlay because of protected slopes, Woodland complexes and Portage Creek hydrology. Staff recommended approval of the phase‑one plans as submitted, conditioned on full site plan approval and adherence to tree and species protection measures identified in the US Fish and Wildlife Service verification letter.

Rachel Hughes Nielsen, a landscape architect with the project team, said the first phase focuses on safety and accessibility: removing and replacing a failing parking lot along Kilgore Road (installing curb, gutter and stormwater capture), removing several unsafe parallel parking spaces on Lover’s Lane, adding accessible routes and a boardwalk/overlook at the top of the creek slope placed outside the 25‑foot water setback, and reducing impervious coverage overall. She noted the project has partial support from a Michigan Land and Water grant and that the team worked with Davy Resource Group to complete Woodland and wetland delineations.

Consultants reported there are roughly 566 protected trees on the site and that the proposal calls for the removal of 19 protected trees (about 3.4% of the total). The project team described a tree‑management plan: staged demolition to minimize root impacts, an on‑site certified arborist as needed during construction, and replacement plantings — the plan counts replacement trees within the construction impact area (3.7 acres impacted in this phase) and aligns replanting with zoning checklist agreements.

Board members questioned species selection, the practicalities of requiring certified arborists for tree installation, and whether replacement trees would survive under existing canopy. The applicant said bid documents will specify arborist standards and contractor obligations for installation and establishment (for example, irrigation/tree‑bag requirements during the establishment year).

The board approved the project by unanimous roll call and attached standard conditions: no work until full site‑plan approval, tree protection fencing during work, implementation of BMPs and conservation measures described in the USFWS verification appendix, and stormwater engineer approval. The project will proceed through the city’s project review and full site‑plan review processes prior to construction.