Residents urge Burton council to drop Bristol–Belsey roundabout over threat to longtime Nearing's Market

Dozens of residents packed a Burton City Council public hearing to oppose a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Bristol and Belsey roads, telling council members the design would harm Nearing's Market — a 65‑year family business — and that updated crash and traffic data do not justify construction. The council did not vote; an attorney advised no action could be taken at the hearing.

Paul O'Meara of Roe Professional Services, presenting the county and design background to the council and audience, said the Genesee County planning effort began in 2019 and the five‑year crash tally for the Bristol/Belsey location showed 21 crashes including five injuries. O'Meara explained the county successfully sought a federal carbon‑reduction grant that would cover roughly 80 percent of construction costs and said the design would be a single‑lane roundabout with some right‑of‑way and temporary grading easements needed from…