Livonia City Council approved a site‑plan petition to expand an existing commercial building at 29440 Schoolcraft Road into a two‑story cabinet showroom, placing conditions to reduce impacts on adjacent residences.

Planning staff Mark Tormina summarized the proposal: a two‑story addition of roughly 2,800 square feet per floor to a one‑story, 2,100‑square‑foot commercial building, creating a total building area near 7,700 square feet. The site includes a 10‑foot easement to an AT&T equipment building and currently has paved areas in poor condition that the petitioner will replace. The planning commission recommended approval with provisos, including emergency access via an agreement with the Bob Evans property owner.

Owner petitioner Kareem Ariz told council the second floor would be used for designer offices and storage and that he had revised materials to add brick on the west elevation facing residences. Several council members and residents expressed concern that second‑floor windows on the west side would look directly into backyards across an 8‑foot fence and about overnight vehicle storage or outside manufacturing; the petitioner clarified the site is a showroom with no manufacturing and no overnight truck storage.

After discussion, the petitioner agreed to remove the west‑facing second‑story windows. Council also added a condition to include tall vegetation along the western property line as a visual buffer; staff will handle species selection administratively with planning/engineering. The planning commission’s requirement for an emergency cross‑access agreement with the adjacent Bob Evans remained a condition.

Council approved the site plan on the regular agenda with those conditions. Staff noted some items (e.g., final cross‑access agreement) remain in negotiation and must be completed before permits are issued.