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Planning commission backs rezoning for Crawford–Broomfield area and companion tax change
Summary
The commission recommended approval of rezoning Z‑26‑01 to increase housing opportunity in the Crawford–Broomfield area and forwarded tax change TC‑26‑02 (affecting 54 acres owned by CMU) to the City Commission. Public comment included supporters citing development and tax‑base benefits and an opponent urging preservation for future housing.
The Mount Pleasant Planning Commission on July 9 voted to recommend rezoning Z‑26‑01 for the Crawford–Broomfield area and to forward companion tax‑change TC‑26‑02 to the City Commission, moves staff said are intended to increase opportunities for housing consistent with the city’s master plan.
Staff said the rezoning proposal reflects earlier 2024 applications and multiple work sessions with the City Commission. The companion tax change would reclassify about 54 acres currently owned by Central Michigan University to a Special District University (SDU) designation and automatically convert that parcel to CD‑3 if CMU later sells the land.
Public testimony was mixed. Allison Heinrich of Middle Michigan Development Corporation said she submitted a letter of support and asked commissioners to advance the change. "Katie sent in a letter in support of this change, and I'm just here to reiterate that and hope that we are able to make that possible," she said. Ernest Peters of 516 North Kinney told commissioners he supported development, saying schools can raise property values and attract families. By contrast, Margie Notestein, a nearby resident, urged preserving the city parcel for housing and voiced concern that a private school or church would reduce the city's future tax base: "Mount Pleasant needs to use that piece for additional future tax base and houses for residents," she said.
Renee Papillion cited research on school‑choice migration and said additional school options can drive housing demand; staff noted they received 247 petition signatures and a letter from Middle Michigan Mellon Corporation in support of rezoning. After public comment the commission voted to recommend Z‑26‑01 and TC‑26‑02 to the City Commission.
Staff said the rezoning and tax‑change proposals will proceed through the City Commission and that further hearings and final votes will follow the normal legislative schedule.
