The Mt. Pleasant City Commission meeting on December 9, 2024, featured significant public concerns regarding drainage issues linked to proposed high-density rezoning in the area. A resident, speaking on behalf of affected homeowners, highlighted the severe flooding problems that have plagued the neighborhood due to outdated drainage infrastructure.

The resident described a distressing scenario where their home is surrounded by water, attributing the situation to poor planning by previous developers and a lack of transparency from former property owners. They emphasized that the existing drainage system, over a century old, was originally designed for agricultural land and has not been upgraded to accommodate residential or commercial development. This has led to repeated flooding events, particularly after minimal rainfall.

The speaker pointed out that the properties under consideration for rezoning are adjacent to areas already suffering from drainage issues. They noted that the rezoning application fails to address these critical drainage concerns, despite the knowledge of multiple stakeholders, including local officials and the Isabella County Drain Commissioner.

The resident urged the commission to consider the implications of further development without resolving the existing drainage problems, warning that it could exacerbate flooding and negatively impact property values. They requested that their concerns be formally recorded in the public record and called for a comprehensive plan to address the drainage issues before any new developments proceed.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by residents in Mt. Pleasant regarding infrastructure and development, raising important questions about the balance between growth and community well-being.