Mount Pleasant City Commissioners vote against contentious zoning amendment
The Mount Pleasant City Commission voted to deny the contentious Zoning Map Amendment (Z-24-01) in a 4-3 vote during their meeting on Dec. 9.
This decision will leave five parcels, totaling around 157.4 acres just southwest of Crawford Road and Broomfield Street, to remain in their status as Planned Residential Developments (PRDs). If approved, the change would have opened the parcels to more varied development, including single-family homes, duplexes, commercial offices and other urban development.
Director of Planning & Community Development Manuela Powidayko said the zoning change would’ve made the development of these parcels easier.
“Instead of having developers coming up with a plan then going for planning commission and city approval, developers would simply design a plan that complies with the rules in the book,” Powidayko said.
If passed, it would’ve aligned with the city’s 2050 Master Plan for planning and development, which was approved back in 2020.
During the meeting's public comment and hearing on the amendment, residents took to the podium to share their thoughts and concerns on the possible development of the private K-12 Central Christian Academy that would take around 31 acres from potential residential units.
Charlotte Ford is a sophomore at Mount Pleasant High School. She said that the city should support the development of the public education system, rather than approve the construction of a private school.
“I know that the public school (system) is desperate for more funding, more teachers and more safeguards for the students,” Ford said. “I believe that the construction of this school would take away population, and would take away student attendance from the high school and public schools in the county.”
Mother of two Amy Loomis said she homeschools her children, but may have thought to enroll them in a private school if she had the option.
“I wish I would’ve be able to choose,” Loomis said. “We’re not necessarily trying to pull kids out of public schools but give options to kids who are not succeeding in public schools.”
According to City Manager Aaron Desentz, about half of the city’s property is tax-exempt. Churches and public universities such as Central Michigan University don’t have to pay taxes for their property. These exemptions often result in citizens having to pay more.
This was a major concern for those who opposed the amendment, as it would’ve allowed another tax-exempt development. Gisela Moffit is one of the residents who spoke against it.
“The city needs money to operate and can not afford to give away any more land tax-free, especially such a large section,” Moffit said to the commissioners. “I want to encourage you to explore other options for use of this land that benefits all, not just a small group.”
According to millage rates that were levied in 2023, city residents have a homestead millage rate of 44.7. A house that is worth $100,000 in the city limits would pay roughly $4,477. For comparison, the city of Midland has rate 40.7 and Saginaw has a homestead rate of 55.1.
The city is proposing that 46% of the city’s 2025 general fund income will come from property tax.
Powidayko said that due to current zoning legislation, she and her team can’t return to this amendment until next year.
City approves 2025 proposed budget
During the meeting, the proposed budget for 2025 was approved. Desentz stated that the budget is proposed to bring in a revenue of around $18.9 million, maintain the current general millage rate of 16.25 and spend around $19.1 million. The city will be using savings to avoid a deficit.
Commissioner Boomer Wingard thanked the city staff for taking action.
“Since 2018, the city’s general fund revenue had increased 1% a year while expenses increased on an average of 2% per year,” Wingard said. “Projects in 2023 showed that if the trend continued without intervention, the city would have a structural deficit each year after 2026 … We identified an issue in our budget, and we are actively addressing it.”
The city will be holding a regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2025.
