Vote.Run.Serve-Livonia does not cover Planning Commission topics except when the commission addresses a topic of substantial interest. Livonia citizens have long addressed concerns about delinquent and blighted property for various reasons, including the public safety concerns those properties have.

Due to the popular nature in the redevelopment of one blighted building on this meeting’s agenda, Vote.Run.Serve will provide a summary of this week’s Planning Commission meeting.

On July 11, 2023, the Planning Commission held a regular public hearing to review five proposals. All four proposals were recommended for approval with stipulation and head to the City Council for potential final approval. Meeting minutes for prior meetings were also approved.

• Vacating surface drainage easement at 17260 Carol Drive.
• Rezoning 20511, 20513. and 20515 Angling Road for residential development. The property was originally planned for a medical office, but the office was never developed.
• Rezoning 20180 Westmore Street from Neighborhood to Rural Urban Farm. This allows for chickens to legally be allowed on the property.
• Expanding fueling stations at the Middlebelt Costco. During the presentation, Costco representatives indicated this site sold 1.2 million gallons of gas a month and remains one of the company’s most popular fueling stations of its size.

• Redeveloping Livonia Towers at 29200 Vassar Avenue to a mixed-use site, including 5 residential properties, storage facilities, and a commercial space which will be leased by a restoration service provider. The site exceeds the number of land splits permitted under Michigan’s Land Division Act.

The site was sold in 2013 as an unused property and has sat vacant ever since. In 2016, the site was approved for senior housing but the site was never developed.

Neighbors have testified in years following that the blighted site has been used for illicit activity.