Commission tables request to expand Schoolcraft Road building for showroom and offices to May 20

The Livonia City Planning Commission tabled Petition 205382, filed by Kareem Aris (reported in the record as Kareem Aris / owner) seeking approval to add a two-story addition and expand an existing commercial building at 29440/29460 Schoolcraft Road to create a 6,300-square-foot showroom and offices.

Planning staff reported the combined parcel area of approximately 30,000 square feet and said the addition’s footprint is 2,100 square feet (4,200 square feet of addition area), yielding a total building area of 6,300 square feet. Under the zoning ordinance (section 9.03), the required parking rate is one space per 500 square feet, which results in 13 required parking spaces; the site plan provides 13 spaces (eight angled in front, five in the rear). Staff noted the site abuts residential zoning to the west and Interstate 96 to the south, and that the existing pavement and drive are in disrepair.

During the hearing staff said revised elevations and a new site plan were received shortly before the meeting; commissioners said the revisions were substantial enough that they had not had time to review them properly. The fire marshal’s written comments raised concerns about limited perimeter fire access (the plan provides limited sides accessible to emergency vehicles), the required fire‑apparatus access width and vertical clearance, and the need to clarify storage and use within the building. Inspection staff required one van-accessible barrier-free space and specified dumpster gate construction. Engineering requested parcel consolidation (two parcels combined if approved), verification of sanitary lead and performance of required stormwater calculations in compliance with Wayne County requirements. The accounting and treasury offices noted a small unpaid water/sewer balance that was paid prior to the hearing and that taxes were current.

Commissioners expressed that the late-arriving revised plans made adequate review impossible. Commissioner Droz moved to table the item to the commission’s May 20 meeting (the next regular meeting); Commissioner Ventura supported the motion. A roll-call vote recorded ayes and the motion passed. The commission instructed staff to work with the applicant and city departments to provide written responses on outstanding inspection/fire access and ADA/elevator questions before the May 20 hearing.

The petitioner, Kareem Aris, described the plan as a high‑quality kitchen/cabinet showroom with no production at the Schoolcraft location (production would remain off-site). He said he had given material samples to planning staff. The commission did not take a final vote on the petition and asked for departmental confirmations (inspection, fire) and clarified that parcel consolidation will be required if the project proceeds.