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Nearings Market owner warns proposed Bristol-Belsie roundabout will cut store access; council schedules special meeting
Summary
The owner of Nearing's Market told the Burton City Council the proposed roundabout at Bristol and Belsie/Bilsey Road would close both main entrances, block most parking during deliveries and endanger customers; council members said engineers and county studies called the intersection unsafe and scheduled a special meeting to continue discussion.
The owner of Nearing's Market told the Burton City Council on Monday that a proposed roundabout at Bristol and Belsie (Bilsey) Road would close both of her store's main access points, block two-thirds of the parking during large deliveries and create safety hazards for customers and delivery trucks.
Katie Nearing, who identified herself as the owner of Nearing's Market at 3517 South Bilsey Road, said the plan would reduce driveway size and ‘‘2 thirds of my parking lot will be blocked during deliveries of a large truck.’’ She said the design would make it harder for customers to enter and exit, risk children and older shoppers in the lot and likely reduce sales for the three-generation family business. ‘‘Nearing's has served this community for 65 years,’’ Nearing said, and urged council members to demand alternatives to the current plan.
The concern prompted discussion among council members and staff about how the design was created and what changes might be possible. One council speaker said engineers and a county study identified safety problems at the intersection and that the roundabout design must meet MDOT and grant-related requirements. The same speaker told the council the city ‘‘did offer to widen that back driveway and we still will do that. Give me the word. It'll be designed tomorrow.’’
Council members acknowledged they had previously been told the business would be included in the planning process and said staff had invited store representatives to meet engineers. Several members said there is not yet a final drawing and that some adjustments — for example moving signage and redesigning access on adjacent property — remain possible, but they emphasized the engineers' safety guidance.
The council scheduled a special meeting next Monday at 6 p.m. to continue the roundabout discussion and said a public hearing is required under grant rules before final approval. The clerk reminded the public the next regularly scheduled council meeting will be held July 7, 2025, at 7 p.m.
The council did not adopt a final design during Monday's meeting; the special meeting will allow additional public input and engineer briefings.
