Planning Commission approves Mead Johnson campus modernization after residents raise Carlton Street traffic concerns

The Zeeland Planning Commission on June 4 adopted a resolution approving Mead Johnson & Company LLC’s site plan review and special land use application for a campus modernization project at 725 E Main Ave and related parcels.

The commission voted unanimously in favor of Motion 2026.09, moved by Commissioner Daniel Klompmaker and supported by Commissioner Sheri Holstege. The motion formally adopted a resolution of approval subject to the conditions and requirements outlined in staff materials.

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public focused on how the project’s vehicle access could affect nearby residential streets, particularly Carlton Street. Longtime property owner Keith Disselkoen of 30 N. Carlton Street urged the commission to reconsider using Carlton Street as a primary ingress and egress point, saying the additional traffic could harm tenants and property values. “I am not a traffic engineering expert but wished to express concerns regarding the volume of traffic that would utilize the Carlton Street entrance and exit,” Disselkoen said, noting he and his wife have invested nearly $70,000 in their rental property and that Zeeland Public Schools sometimes runs about 25 buses on Carlton Street.

Staff response and traffic analysis: Zoning Administrator Timothy Maday said the applicant submitted a traffic impact study that was reviewed by the City’s consulting engineer, Joe Eberle of Progressive AE, who found the proposed traffic plan acceptable. According to staff’s recounting of the engineer’s analysis, the consultant’s Synchro modeling showed peak-hour traffic likely closer to about 125 vehicles rather than the total number of parking spaces, and that the Level of Service on affected stop-controlled approaches is modeled at "C," a typical, acceptable result for those conditions. Maday and Assistant City Manager Kevin Plockmeyer said any needed street, sewer and utility improvements would be addressed through the forthcoming development agreement rather than through site-plan approval alone.

Driveway location and park relocation: Commissioner Rebecca Perkins asked whether the driveway on N. Carlton Avenue could be shifted farther north to reduce impacts on rental properties across the street. Allan Barron and Art Pike, representing Mead Johnson, said the project team is evaluating relocation options while avoiding conflicts with a Consumers Energy utility pole, overhead wires, and required landscaping. Mead Johnson representatives also said they are discussing preservation and relocation options for an on-site pocket park with Zeeland Public Schools and other local stakeholders; because the park parcel is school-owned, Maday noted some decisions will require additional City Council or school-district approvals.

Next steps: The resolution adopted at the meeting acknowledges that minor site-plan amendments (for example, replacement of trees) may be handled administratively and outlines conditions to be met before permits are issued. The decision allows Mead Johnson to advance design and permitting, while access, development-agreement details and specific utility or roadway improvements will be worked out in later steps.

Motion details: Motion 2026.09 (adopt resolution approving Mead Johnson & Company LLC site plan review & special land use application at 725 E Main Ave and related parcels) was moved by Commissioner Daniel Klompmaker, supported by Commissioner Sheri Holstege, and passed by roll-call vote: Perkins, Holstege, Klompmaker, VanDorp, Chairman Bill Elhart — Ayes; Nays — none; Absent — Otteman, Blanton, Klunder.