Planning Commission, October 1, 2026
Two addresses. That’s the whole meeting, really.
Both items on the October 1 agenda are special use permit requests asking the Planning Commission to let existing residential buildings do something different than what they’re zoned for now. One’s a Pearl Street single-family home that could become a rooming house. The other’s a former sorority house on Fraternity Village Drive that could become a student recovery residence. Staff recommends moving forward on both.
The 3 items worth your attention
The Pearl Street rooming house (E-1) is a permit application from Joshua Staple to convert a single-family rental at 613 Pearl Street into a rooming or boarding house for up to five occupants. The place has been a rental for over twenty years, so it’s not like the neighborhood hasn’t seen tenants before. The change here is the intensity: a rooming house means more people sharing one address under a different legal use category.
Why, per the city: The applicant wants to provide monthly rentals for traveling professionals.
At 1500 Fraternity Village Drive, the former Alpha Omicron Pi house is up for a different kind of second life (E-2). Frat 15 LLC is seeking a special use permit to run a transitional recovery residence for college students dealing with substance abuse, with treatment, mental health services, and academic support on site. The building has been a Greek house since 1998; Alpha Omicron Pi left after last school year. Converting it to a different special use requires Planning Commission sign-off, which is what Thursday’s hearing is for.
Why, per the city: The building’s owner has been exploring reusing it as a student substance abuse recovery house, serving college students who need a safe, supportive recovery housing option.
Staff recommends the commission greenlight both permit requests.
Roads & property
- The Pearl Street and Fraternity Village Drive permits are the only land-use actions on the agenda. Both are public hearings, so residents can weigh in before the commission acts. (E-1, E-2)
Where the money’s going
No contracts or spending items on this agenda.
Also notable
- The commission will receive the City Planner’s Report, a Strategic Vision update, and a Site Plan Update, all standard end-of-meeting items. (G-1, G-2, G-3)
Public comment on the permit applications (E-1 and E-2) is open at the hearing itself. The Planning Commission meets Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Kalamazoo City Hall. Check the city’s website for start time and room location.
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