Van Buren Township residents will be asked their opinion on setting up a new commercial strip in the south side, all the way to Sumpter Township.
At last week’s regular meeting of the VBT board, the Sumpter Road Corridor was discussed as a way to keep Belleville businesses from moving out of the area. The new marijuana industry in the city of Belleville is displacing former businesses who are now looking for places to move.
It was suggested if there was a strip of overlay commercial zoning along both sides of Sumpter Road from the city of Belleville to Bemis Road where Sumpter Township begins, the local businesses could stay in the area.
And, other businesses could set up shop, as well. A grocery store was suggested as a business that might come.
The farmers could sell a little of their land along Sumpter Road for commercial projects and still continue to farm the land behind that strip. That could bring some money to them, officials suggested.
A vision has to be set up to get this moving. Can you imagine a strip of landscaped businesses, a sit-down restaurant or two, and other shops along that stretch?
The township had protected the rural character of that area since the South Side Master Plan was passed in 2007. Is it time to revisit that decision? Let the elected officials know your vision.
- Previous story VBT board agrees to study plan for Sumpter Road Corridor change
- Next story Sumpter Twp. board promotes two cops, fires one fire fighter
6 Comments
Weather
We moved to Sumpter Belleville area because we were tired of the city. Adding more Businesses along this stretch of road will destroy what draws people to Belleville.
I moved to Van Buren for the rural setting. Now it is turning into Canton. If I wanted that I would have moved there. It is also turning to one area that takes some of the most toxic waste like dioxins known to man. Welcome to Van Buren where it pays to be toxic. If you run the city..
Why do we move out of the city and then turn the country into the city. i started school in West Willow in 1950’s when it was an island, then came the expansion. I use to hunt with my dad in Canton for pheasants, now it is a city, which I try to avoid. If you want city stay in the city. Do turn VBT & Sumpter into what you moved away from. Leave rural, RURAL. If i wanted Canton, i would have moved to canton. VBT Supervisor needs to go back to Detroit if he wants high rises. The longer he is in office the more VBT is looking more like Canton.
This is a horrible idea! And what about the people that live there? Are you gonna wedge them between a bunch of stores, or force them to move? I remember what happened in New Boston when they forced people to move off Sibley Rd. for a casino and a bunch of stores that never happened. This area is beautiful and quiet. Why ruin it?
We already have lots of open storefronts on Main St./Sumpter Rd. Take a drive and see all the unused (or underutilized) commercial buildings.
No need for increased supply when there is no demand.
And how long will it be before they realize that a single lane in each direction will not be enough to accommodate traffic of people turning into these businesses, and we will need to expand all the roads to account for additional traffic flow? Taxes will go up, development will build buildings, and without demand, we will get an influx of Grow Shops, Cash for Gold, and Tattoo Parlors. Thanks, but no thanks.
At best, it will do well, and it will become like Canton, losing the country appeal. At worst, it will become blight and will look trashy. But all the city cares about is increased revenue.