City planning staff provided a progress report on Imagine Kalamazoo 2035, the city’s master plan update. Staff said engagement efforts to date generated roughly 4,300 points of contact through workshops, pop‑ups, book reads, partner activities and youth projects. The engagement informed a strategic framework built around a community vision, organizational purpose, values and guiding principles.

Staff presented an emerging strategic vision statement — "In 2035, all Kalamazoo neighbors are supported by sustainable, responsive and accessible services that lift people up and bring our community together at every stage of life" — and a set of organizational values including integrity, inclusion, customer service and safety. Strategic goals under development focus on areas such as arts and placemaking, community trust and safety, economic vitality, environment, housing, transportation and youth and family services.

Staff outlined next steps: a draft strategic vision will be presented to City Commission and Planning Commission for review early in 2026, followed by the master plan design work and a series of neighborhood meetings and focus groups through the winter and spring to refine draft maps and policies.

The Planning Commission voted to approve the 2026 meeting schedule later in the agenda and staff said they will return with draft documents for review and public comment in early 2026.