Burton · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Burton public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Proposed used car sales on Atherton Road (ZBA 26-24)
An applicant wants to open a used car dealership on a vacant Atherton Road lot that's zoned for restricted office use. The board will weigh whether a hardship justifies allowing light industrial activity in a zone meant for offices, and nearby residents may weigh in on traffic and appearance.
2028-2030 CDBG funds
The council set a November 16 public hearing on the call for projects for 2028-2030 Community Development Block Grant funds.
City Council Travel Policy
Burton has never had a formal travel policy for council members, who attend national conferences on taxpayer dollars. The draft covers mileage, parking, meals, lodging, and reimbursement timing — with the biggest fight over how quickly members get paid back for out-of-pocket expenses.
Veterans Honor Run
The November 14 race is officially a City of Burton Parks and Rec event (created by commission vote in 2012), and the chair wants that clear for marketing. Volunteers and sponsors are still needed.
Residential street parking conflicts
Narrow south-end streets with cars parked on both sides create sight-line hazards for drivers backing out of driveways, and council members report near-misses. The committee learned parking restrictions come via traffic control orders adopted by the full council, addressed street by street.
Rental property registration
The city has no registry of rental units, and members debated whether landlords should face the same accountability as homeowners. Staff noted some cities use rental inspections and registration to protect housing stock, but said it's a question the committee would have to explore — with legal questions for the attorney.
Abandoned garage sale signage as blight
A board member counted feather flags at numerous businesses along Belsay and Center roads, most standing just feet from the right of way, and suggested the council may want to revisit the sign ordinance — either to allow them with strict rules or to push enforcement.
$565,000 Local Street Fund amendment and exhausted 50/50 match money
The council put $565,000 more into road repavement, but Mayor Haskins warned the 50/50 sidewalk/road matching fund is now empty — future matches will need new money.
Hemp Hill and Saginaw Street land survey
A survey of property at Hemp Hill and Saginaw Street is nearly complete, with a topographic drawing showing buildings and a proposed split, but legal descriptions haven't been delivered yet. The board is waiting on those before moving forward.
Christmas celebration funding
Pizza with Santa stays at Bendel, but south-end residents asked for something at the fire station too. The commission is weighing a smaller traditional tree-lighting there versus consolidating everything in one place — no decisions yet, and finding a big enough tree is a challenge.
Industrial setback variance at 3302 Associates Drive
Cost Less Distributing wanted to expand its warehouse right up to its side and rear lot lines. The board weighed fire-safety concerns about a storage building with no fire suppression against the business's growth, and the fire department will have final say on suppression requirements.
Foundation certification timing in building-permit process
Board discussion revealed the city doesn't require foundation certification before builders keep constructing — only before the certificate of occupancy. One member argued the process should be fixed so mistakes are caught before a full house goes up.
Bylaws and new event ideas
Planning is underway for the Trick-or-Treat Trail, Pizza with Santa, and tree lighting, but the tree lighting may move from the fire department to the police station or city hall because the fire department may lack volunteers after Jeremy's resignation. Pumpkin sourcing from Walker Farms or Gordon's is also being worked out.
Loitering and security near Dort Hwy corridor hotel
Commissioners flagged loitering trouble around the hotel next to the store. The owner says he watches five cameras, disperses lingering visitors, and calls Burton Police when needed — and promised more lights and cameras if the pumps are built.
Mini-bike speeding on Fern Avenue
Constituents keep calling about ATVs on Morris Road around 3 p.m. The mayor's answer: call 911, not a council member — that's the only way police get dispatched.
Kelly Lake to For-Mar community walk and trail connectivity
The council hired Elexco Land Services to negotiate the four easements MDOT requires for the Iron Belle Trail — a resident asked whether landowners were contacted earlier in the design process.
Tree Trimming
The board discussed working with Aspen and Consumers on trimming and cutting street trees across the district — keeping trees healthy and clear of utilities.
Closed-session confidentiality
Council Member Heffner warned colleagues after details of a closed-session discussion appeared on Facebook, reminding the body that what's said in closed session must stay there.
Southmoor Golf Course clubhouse security
A resident again asked the city to fence and sign the abandoned Southmoor clubhouse before cold weather brings break-ins. City leaders said the property is private, so fencing is not the city's call — but demolition is coming if it ever becomes city responsibility.
Keeping backyard chickens in R-1A zones
The city's three-dog limit in R-1A neighborhoods led to a heated dispute on Lapeer Road that ended with the applicant putting down one of her dogs. The case collapsed when she told the board she was back to three dogs, but it highlights how neighbor complaints over pet counts land residents in front of the ZBA.
Accessory structure size limits in residential zones
A homeowner needed board permission to exceed the city's 1,512-square-foot accessory building cap. The board granted a partial variance and tied it to a matching-building design, showing how it balances hardship against neighborhood appearance.
Nonconforming lots and rebuild rights on tiny corner parcels
Mark Spicer's 4,200-square-foot corner lot can't meet today's setbacks, and he raised a real worry: if fire or flood destroys more than half his house, can he rebuild? Staff confirmed he can rebuild the same footprint — but both his variance asks were denied 3-4.
New gas tax distribution and marijuana revenue
The city received $421,000 under the state's new gas tax formula, but the mayor is still clarifying whether it folds in marijuana revenue that previously brought the city close to $600,000 for local roads.
Genesee and Davidson crosswalk signals
A resident flagged that the new crosswalk signals at Genesee and Davidson are installed but not yet operating. The commission chair noted pedestrians should still follow basic traffic laws in the meantime.
Fire-damaged house rebuild timeline at 6254 Mercury
An owner whose house burned in May got council approval to demolish and rebuild, on a strict clock: demo permit in 10 days, demo done in 30 days, building permit filed 30 days after that — or the city tears down the garage and fence too.
Blighted property at 4312 Dort Highway
A resident is pushing for immediate demolition of the old clubhouse at 4312 Dort Hwy, citing constant vandalism and safety risks.
RxKids program for new and expecting families
RxKids gives pregnant moms and babies cash support with no strings attached — Burton families can now apply online, and 12 local families have already enrolled.
Back to the Bricks banner cost sharing
This year's cruise went smoothly — no major fights, manageable trash, and new bike and foot police patrols. The board agreed to split the $600 banner cost, paying $300.
DSB Golf property purchase
The city is buying property from DSB Golf and paying a good-faith deposit, but details weren't spelled out publicly and one council member voted no. Residents asked what's being bought, where, and why.
Upcoming community recreation events
The October 17 event needs overnight cold storage for 30-40 gallons of cider and a way to haul pumpkins. Members are checking Bentley's cooler space and trailer availability, with U-Haul rental as a backup.
Walking club growth
Starting June 3, a free walking club meets the first and third Wednesdays at 7 p.m., kicking off at For-Mar. It's aimed at getting people — especially those who don't get out much — moving and socializing safely.
Water Quality Violation
A state-required water letter alarmed residents, but the mayor explained it was triggered by a faulty probe on the city's own testing machine — the water has always been safe.
Burton Estates subdivision repaving
Council Member Tina Conley thanked DPW crews for grinding through days of pothole filling. DPW Director Abbey said snow, rain and freeze-thaw cycles are wreaking havoc on roads, even newer ones — though he noted conditions are far better than five years ago.
Montcalm and Day Street paving / special assessment district
Residents petitioned to pave Sitka Street from gravel to asphalt, and the city will chip in a 50% match. Property owners in the district get a May 4 public hearing before costs are assessed.
Veteran housing duplex on Davison Road
A veteran applicant won unanimous approval to build one duplex on a vacant R-1A parcel beside attached condos, saying the units will house veterans. A possible golf course easement still needs checking through the county register of deeds.
Tires stored against Red Baron building on Center Road
A resident flagged tires sitting against the Red Baron building with no fire barrier, raising fire-safety concerns. Staff will send code enforcement and check with the fire department.
Davison Road gas station redevelopment
The long-vacant former Chase Bank at 4154 Davison Road will become a gas station with a convenience store and drive-through restaurant, with a new sidewalk required along Davison Road.
Concrete batch plant on Kleinpell Street
A small ready-mix concrete batch plant is coming to an existing trucking site on Kleinpell Street, about 300 feet from homes. Residents worried about silica dust and noise, so the approval requires hard-surfaced (poured concrete) truck areas to keep dust down.
Fall and holiday event planning (Trick or Treat Trail, tree lighting, Pizza with Santa)
The commission is locking in dates and logistics for its biggest community events. The tree lighting is losing its longtime home at Fire Station One, and members want to grow the Trick or Treat Trail with new activities.
Kelly Lake Park maintenance and water safety
Kelly Lake Park has a repeatedly damaged fence, a deteriorating sign, worn picnic tables, and no current no-swimming signage despite summer bacteria concerns. Members also flagged bench placements and possibly restoring the memorial bench for longtime commissioner Mary Campbell.
Eugene Street drain crossing repair
The city signed a $61,952 contract with Zito Construction to fix the Eugene Street drain crossing over the Phillips Drain.
Outdoor warning siren audibility
A resident says he could barely hear today's severe-weather siren from inside his home — he had to shut off his microwave just to hear it. He asked the city to note the problem.
Belsay Road railroad crossing reopening
Belsay Road will close for about two weeks while the Canadian National crossing is rebuilt — plan alternate routes.
Used car dealership relocation on S. Dort Hwy.
A used car dealer is moving two blocks up Dort Highway with a variance for used car sales in the C-2 zone. Neighbors' main stake: cars must stay off the road edge near the pawn shop so drivers can see cross traffic, and no junk cars litter the lot.
MTA Bus Stop
The Jolson and Saginaw bus shelter was replaced with a modified version that offers less protection, and at least one business wanted shelters removed over drug activity complaints.
Marijuana dispensary operating hours
Burton's marijuana shops currently must close at 8 p.m., but neighboring cities allow 9 p.m. — so shoppers take their business elsewhere. Extending hours could keep that sales revenue (and the city's share of marijuana taxes) in Burton.
Citywide wastewater assessment
The city hired Stantec Consulting for up to $206,778 to do flow monitoring and modeling for a citywide wastewater assessment — groundwork for future sewer planning and rates.
Youth Sports Leadership Dispute
Burton city officials have removed the coaches running the local youth baseball league, creating uncertainty over who will manage the ballpark and league operations. If your kids play, expect questions about leadership, schedules, and who’s now in charge.
Memorial Day event recap
Parks & Rec is building its first parade float in years — a handmade 250th anniversary cake on a trailer with donated banners. It's a low-cost way for the department to get visible in the community again.
Rubbish fuel surcharge costs passed to residents
Heffner said Emterra misses streets and entire neighborhoods every week and asked the city attorney what constitutes breach of contract. The amendment covers a fuel surcharge in the hauler's contract.