Three topics were discussed at the Economic Development and Strategic Planning Committee meeting, including a follow up to last year’s discussion on blight and vacancy along Plymouth Road.

View agenda packet here

The subject matter of blighted and vacant businesses on Plymouth Road. (CR 90-25)

Motion for Law Department to draft an ordinance to expand the ability of the Inspection Department to issue civil infractions for vacancy and blight.

Council also discussed pursuing:

• Expanding the ordinance request from Law related to 911 abuse calls requesting help from LFD by local senior facilities to include calls to LPD related to blighted businesses (notably trespassing)
• Inspecting the interior of vacant properties on a regular basis regardless of occupancy
• A more detailed discussion on notable commercial buildings that are vacant in a different committee at a later date.

The subject matter of data centers and attendant zoning related issues. (CR 02-26)

Schoolcraft College student, Naz Cimsit, presented research on this topic covering the impact data centers are having regionally/internationally and identifying best practices for Livonia to adopt because our current zoning ordinances do allow for data centers in the industrial area.

Motion for Law Department to draft a one-year moratorium on data centers to allow time to update zoning ordinances to reflect best practices for building standards using the German Energy Efficiency Act as a model.

Additional notes from Naz’s presentation: 

• In 2024, 4% of energy was used by data center; In 2025 it has increased to 12%
• Data Centers use the amount of electricity of 2,000 households daily and have shown to cause water contamination and drought. Noise pollution is also a threat that can be disruptive and result in hearing loss.
• Cimsit spoke with Dr. Patrick Brody at the University of Dublin and in Ireland there have been increased energy costs for citizens and even blackouts
• German Energy Efficiency Act is a notable model for Livonia and calls for all data centers to have closed loop heat and water systems, frequent energy audits and public reporting on energy use.
• Cimsit noted that smaller size data centers are increasingly being proposed and due to Michigan’s state-wide incentives there is an increased possibility that these centers would look to locate in Livonia.
• It was noted that carbon-offsetting is often done outside of the community of development and Livonia should avoid allowing investors to do that.

The subject matter of limiting the number of gas stations and car washes in the city. (CR 04-26)

It was determined that no additional action is needed at this time to restrict these businesses, as City Council has sufficient authority and an additional moratorium on gas stations would weaken the standing of proposed moratoriums on car washes and data centers.

All of these items will remain in committee.