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Residents raise pigeons, library, downtown study and deer concerns during public comment
Summary
Livonia — During the public comment period at the Livonia City Council meeting, residents urged the city to limit large pigeon lofts, address library leaks, hold more accessible public meetings for a downtown study, and act on deer, hazardous trees and nearby residential conversions to elder‑care facilities.
Livonia — During the council’s public comment period, residents raised a range of neighborhood concerns including requests for an ordinance to regulate large pigeon lofts, support for the city library and its leaking atrium, calls for a special public meeting on a downtown/city‑center study, and requests for stronger action on deer control, hazardous trees and commercial blight.
Freya Jacoby, a resident of Parker Street, asked the council to consider a municipal ordinance to limit the number of pigeons kept in residential neighborhoods after a neighbor announced plans for an 80‑bird loft. Jacoby noted other municipalities set limits — she cited Dearborn Heights’ limit of 15 — and offered to help draft language. Council staff asked Jacoby to provide contact information so administration could follow up.
Several speakers addressed library issues. Ralph Brown and Robert Van Orden urged the council to keep the Robert and Janet Library open during renovations; Van Orden described a low‑cost maintenance option for the library’s glass atrium (polish and commercial sealant) and said a local contractor could perform guaranteed maintenance to stop leaks. Administration staff agreed to collect contact information and evaluate the proposal.
Multiple residents criticized how the city‑center study meeting had been handled and urged a special public meeting to give residents a chance to see materials and ask questions. One speaker said the study session was long and not televised, and called for better public access.
Other public comments included requests for stronger regional coordination on deer control and a warning that storm seasons are creating a higher number of dead and hazardous trees on public streets; one resident urged a significant increase in the tree‑removal budget. Another resident expressed concern about conversion of residential properties to homes for the elderly and described multiple such facilities opening near her home; she asked council to review the matter and promised to provide documentation.
Council members and staff responded in several instances by directing speakers to provide contact information to the city’s office manager so staff can follow up outside the meeting. No formal council action was taken during the public comment period on these items.
