Every seat was filled, with rows of additional chairs quickly occupied and dozens more attendees left standing along the walls and crowding the far back of the room. The unusually high turnout was largely driven by concerned residents of the community who have sparked heated debate, especially in recent weeks. So what is generating all this concernment?

Reckitt’s Mead-Johnson Nutrition, an infant formula manufacturer, has been a long-term member of the Zeeland community. The company has maintained its operations here since 1924. Since then, few improvements have been made to the facility, necessitating a crucial modernization to stay relevant and profitable. With this, the company has sought to expand and improve its facilities.

The plan includes a new front office space, employee center, breakrooms, locker rooms, a cafeteria, collaborative workspaces, and more. It also places a greater emphasis on improving the aesthetics of the plant… more greenspaces, more vibrant landscaping, and even a park. The company seeks to maintain its approximate 500 employees. Despite the expansion, there is no guarantee of adding more employment opportunities.

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The most crucial component of Mead-Johnson's submitted proposal includes a rezoning application, hoping to transition two parcels on East Main Avenue from residential to industrial zones. If approved, the rezoning would directly affect 605 and 633 East Main Avenue, which currently contain a single-family dwelling as well as eight townhomes.

In opening the meeting, Justin Griner, a Mead-Johnson representative, expressed the company’s aspirations: “We’ve been asked whether rezoning is needed to achieve our modernization goals. The answer is yes. If our rezoning request is denied, we will be unable to make these investments in Zeeland and will be forced to take them elsewhere.” The hope?—“We want to be in Zeeland,” he said.

The area where Mead-Johnson occupies, along East Washington Avenue, has long served as an industrial domain. Arthur Pike, associate director of Mead-Johnson, expressed a factual reality that nearly 90% of property between East Washington Avenue, East Main Avenue, Fairview Street, and Carlton Street are industrial zones, with “less than 5% of that block” being residential zones. He noted that the block is “highly industrialized already.” So why does it matter if an already existing industrial company chooses to expand in this area?

A recurring notion of a lack of transparency and integrity was expressed by numerous residents.

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A shared skepticism cautions against allowing this rezoning’s approval due to the fact that the proposed site plans are far too conceptual to be considered. In a statement, one resident voiced that her research revealed the company’s plans to be both “incomplete" and "incoherent.” The city’s planner expressed that each rezoning must consider the “health, safety, and wellness” of its residents. He noted that “change is inevitable,” but residents are wary of this change in particular.

The skepticism has led to a mistrust of Mead-Johnson amongst the public as they are unsure how truthful the company’s promises are. A wary resident brought up the quick, two-week turnaround of this proposal, stating that it’s “just too quick.”

Resident Christopher Tanner challenged one discrepancy stating: “I love that we have a business that’s lived here for over 100 years, [though] it feels like a poor partnership to say we have to specifically expand in this one area only because they’re looking at the [bottom line] versus actually looking at what could benefit our community,” he stated. “If we were truly looking at benefiting the community, why not look elsewhere outside of the specific downtown Zeeland area?”

Other local corporations have followed this procedure in the past. Both Gentex and Herman Miller have chosen to expand their operations in areas that present less direct impact with surrounding residential communities. A resident expressed that this expansion will “irrevocably alter the fabric of our neighborhoods.” This comes with the concerns over direct impact on the residential community. Instances of bustling traffic, noise, emissions, and environmental consequences were raised.

What many residents are seeking is accountability. But how can that be achieved when much of the community is already rooted against this company?

Another resident, Jeff Zylstra, made certain to be remembered for three particular words: “Stop the stink.”

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He commented, “I understand the financial benefits this expansion will bring… but to those who live in this neighborhood that didn’t get a buyout and aren’t getting any property tax breaks… more traffic, more noise, more stinking. No benefits.” This expansion indirectly impacts surrounding residents. Such perspective was shared by another resident who stated that by “changing residential to industrial [this] would induce heavy traffic, noise, lighting, and other activity that even for residents not directly adjacent, would be felt throughout the area.”

One resident of the affected townhomes expressed that “Progress shouldn’t come at the expense of hard working residents who are doing their best to remain stable and self-sufficient.”

Those whose homes are directly impacted by the proposed expansion voiced their concerns with deep care. Margie Klein has been offered a great deal of money to sell her home to make way for this project. However, she and her husband continue to refuse the sale of their beloved home, citing their refusal on the basis of principle, not a tactic for more money. Many of these residents have historical and genetic ties to their homes. They don’t want to see a giant bulldozer run them over.

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Some residents have already sold their homes to the company, many of which have received a payment far beyond the assessed value of their home. Others just aren’t willing to give in.

So what happens next?

After three hours of public comment, the commissioners stated that a decision will take great time to achieve. A special meeting is set to be scheduled within the next two weeks for further discussion. This date will be posted on cityofzeeland.com.