A century-old manufacturer’s plan to modernize and expand its Zeeland operations has drawn mixed reactions, sparking public debate, concerns about neighborhood impacts, and calls for greater transparency as city officials navigate a complex rezoning process.
But the proposal is also doing something else: reviving civic participation in Zeeland in ways not seen in years.
Mead Johnson Nutrition, owned by consumer goods company Reckitt and one of Zeeland’s top employers and taxpayers, successfully sought the rezoning of two residential parcels adjacent to its factory at 725 E. Main St. as industrial. The change supports an $836 million investment to upgrade aging manufacturing and office infrastructure at its infant formula facility.
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Mead Johnson NutritionRendering of planned expansion at Mead Johnson Nutrition’s Zeeland facility.
The parcels are the first of four or five properties in the project that require rezoning.
At its July 21 meeting, the Zeeland City Council approved the company’s request.
Mead Johnson expressed gratitude for the Council’s action, saying “this vote reflects the confidence that Zeeland leaders have in Mead Johnson to deliver the many benefits to the community outlined in our modernization plan.”
The company presented its plans during two Planning Commission meetings in June at the Howard Miller Community Center. The meetings were relocated from City Hall to accommodate a larger-than-usual crowd.
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Mead Johnson NutritionRendering shows pathway included in Mead Johnson Nutrition’s planned Zeeland facility expansion.
On July 10, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning to 633 E. Main Ave. on a 6-0 vote, and to 605 E. Main, 5-1, with Commissioner Glenn Kass casting the sole “no” vote.
The proposal drew significant public attention, with hundreds attending meetings to voice support or opposition. About 200 people attended the June 5 meeting, where residents raised concerns about noise, traffic, odors, declining property values, and the project’s proximity to residential neighborhoods.
Opponents say the expansion would encroach on established neighborhoods and harm quality of life. Supporters point to Mead Johnson’s long history in Zeeland and describe the company as a responsible neighbor and major employer. About 450 people work at the Zeeland location.
In the weeks after Mead Johnson’s plans became publicly known, dozens of residents — both supporters and opponents — submitted comments, contacted city officials, and attended public meetings. Residents formed a new grassroots group, filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, shared materials online, and knocked on doors to raise awareness. City leaders say they haven’t seen this level of involvement in years.
City: Looking at best interest of community
Zeeland City Manager Tim Klunder emphasized that no development is being considered south of Main Avenue and that officials support Mead Johnson’s modernization efforts within its current industrial footprint.
“This is not downtown. It’s several blocks removed, but the proximity toward downtown has definitely raised concern,” Klunder says. “Our role is to look at what’s in the best interest of the community. There are always individual interests, but we have to balance that with economic development and neighbor concerns.”
In a written statement, Mead Johnson says the company has gone beyond what is required in the review process.
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Mead Johnson NutritionRendering features playground included in Mead Johnson Nutrition’s planned expansion of its Zeeland facility.
“Because of the high interest in this topic and our commitment to being good corporate citizens of Zeeland, Mead Johnson has taken additional steps beyond the typical process,” the company says. “That includes meeting with residents well before public hearings were scheduled to hear concerns and proactively address them in our planning, as well as participating in a special public session where we presented all preliminary plans, including detailed renderings.”
The company says it is committed to working with the public and hopes the project benefits both its employees and the larger Zeeland community.
Residents raise concerns over transparency, pace
Neighborhood First, a grassroots group of residents formed in response to the proposed expansion, has been organizing, submitting FOIA requests, and sharing information online. Organizer Ryan Gamby says the city’s early handling of the proposal lacked openness and left many residents feeling left out of the conversation.
“While the city certainly missed some important opportunities, I’m most focused on what lessons the city can learn from the situation so they can focus on continued improvement,” Gamby says.
Gamby believes city officials were aware of Mead Johnson’s intentions months before the public, but updates to the City Council and residents were limited. Key details surfaced only after residents obtained internal city communications through the Freedom of Information Act and published them online.
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Mead Johnson NutritionRendering highlights enhanced landscaping around Mead Johnson Nutrition’s planned Zeeland facility expansion.
City officials say they did not initially know that Mead Johnson was pursuing residential properties, and only found out when they heard from residents who reported that Mead Johnson had approached them about selling their properties.
He also questions how quickly the formal process has moved. Mead Johnson purchased residential properties on May 15, filed a rezoning application the next day, and presented its plans to the public on June 5 — just one week before the official public hearing on June 12.
“A project with this kind of impact needs time for thoughtful public consideration,” Gamby says.
He adds that the Planning Commission made its recommendation based on limited data and without commissioning professional studies on traffic, home values, or environmental impact. “Even the questions asked by planning commissioners were limited,” he says.
Despite frustrations, Gamby encouraged residents — especially those hesitant to speak publicly — to submit written comments or contact council members directly.
“A community needs more than a microphone — they need a seat at the table,” he says. “People are more likely to respect a decision, even if they disagree, when they believe their voices have been taken seriously.”
Making democracy work
Despite tensions, city leaders and residents say this process has become a strong example of democracy at the local level.
Residents have used every tool available — public meetings, letters, phone calls, and FOIA requests to ask questions and raise their voices. City officials say that kind of participation makes local government stronger, even when views differ.
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Shandra MartinezZeeland City Hall
Klunder says Zeeland’s goal is to get the process right, even if that requires more time and discussion.
“Ultimately, that’s how you get the best product — through public input,” he says. “It may not always feel like the best forum for discussion, but it’s the one we have, and it helps lead to the best outcome for the community.”
Meeting schedules, documents, and updates related to the proposal are available at
cityofzeeland.com/580/Proposed-Mead-Johnson-Project-at-E-Main.