Livonia council approves Spree permits, housing projects and infrastructure plans; delays asphalt-millings waiver

The Livonia City Council at its February study session approved a slate of permits, contracts and funding items for community events, housing developments and water-system planning, while sending a request to waive the city's hard-surfacing ordinance for asphalt millings to the regular May 7 meeting for further review.

Council members approved event permits and road-closure requests tied to the city's Livonia Spree celebration, granted planning and waiver approvals for two private residential developments, awarded multiple park and historic-preservation contracts and moved forward funding agreements and grant applications for water-system work and small-business and senior-building upgrades.

Why it matters: approvals in the consent packet clear logistical and funding hurdles for summer events, add roughly 158 senior and townhome units to the city's housing stock in separate projects, and advance a citywide lead service-line replacement plan that seeks a low-interest Drinking Water SRF loan. The one item set aside for a later meeting could change how property owners may use asphalt millings in parking areas.

Most significant actions

- Spree permits and closures: The council approved banner locations, temporary road closures (including parts of Farmington, Linden and Stark), carnival permits, a fireworks permit for American Fireworks at Skaminsky Veterans Park and use of Ford Field and adjacent park facilities for the city's Spree events in late June. Kaley Havanagh Reed, executive director of the Livonia Spree, said the banners will show dates and that the event will include enhanced fireworks and other attractions.

- Senior housing expansion (Emmett/"Aletha" expansion): The council accepted planning commission recommendation and approved a waiver-use petition for a planned residential development by Emmett Contracting that would add two buildings with a combined 58 senior independent apartments at parcels on Farmington Road (14821 and 14829 Farmington). Developer Brad Emmett told the council the buildings will be primarily brick and masonry and will connect to the existing Aletha Apartments amenities; he said the project mixes mostly one-bedroom units and larger units of about 1,000 square feet.

- Townhome development (Robertson Brothers): Council approved a site-plan petition from Robertson Brothers Homes for 15 buildings totaling 100 townhome-style dwelling units on roughly 10.18 acres at 37640 7 Mile Road. Planner Mark Tormina and applicant Tim Loughran described unit sizes of about 1,300' to 1,600 square feet, garages at ground level and a preserved passive-park area on an adjacent six-acre parcel to the north.

- Kava restaurant and site changes: The council approved a waiver-use petition for a 2,515-square-foot Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant with a pickup window and limited drive-through lane at 39207 7 Mile Road; petitioner Eric Williams said planning changes resolved prior circulation and dumpster concerns and the project includes about 36 parking spaces and indoor/outdoor seating.

- Water-system planning and lead-service-line program: Public Works Director Ryan Pero described a Drinking Water SRF project plan to identify service-line materials and replace lead lines. The council authorized submission of a project plan seeking a $5 million, 20-year loan (current indicative rate ~2.75%) through the Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and approved an amendment to retain OHM Advisors for a Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan (contract not to exceed $125,400). "This is a project plan to help identify water service line materials and change out lead lines as they are found," Ryan Pero said.

- CDBG/CARES Act amendment and small-business grants: The Livonia Housing Commission asked the council to amend prior action plans so the city can spend the remaining $188,320 from 2020 CARES Act CDBG funding on touchless bathroom fixtures at McNamara Towers, Silver Village and Newberg Village and on a third round of small-business grants and technical assistance; council approved the amendment.

- Contracts, bids and appropriations: Council approved awarding the Pavilion 2 roof replacement at Rotary Park to Cena Roofing and Sheet Metal ($21,512; to be reimbursed by insurance), the Newberg Church exterior wood repairs and painting contract (Randy Travis Painting LLC, ~$48,875) with a $10,000 transfer from the historic trust fund, and continued a low-cost public-art stipend program (the stipend level identified as $1,000 in the program paperwork).

- Human resources and transit credits: Civil service staff received authorization to use EMCO promotional-exam services (ceiling $30,000); the Housing Commission was authorized to execute a 2025 agreement with SMART for municipal/community transit credits totaling $89,424 to support the Livonia Community Transit Program (Lift and Go).

- Youth sports and parks agreements: The council approved a sponsorship and fee-offset arrangement with the Livonia Junior Athletic League (LJAL) to cover officials and field usage and approved a sublease for Rotary Park diamonds 1—64 to LJAL to continue their long-standing field stewardship.

- Liability settlements: Council approved two MMRMA-recommended settlements tied to sewer backups at local addresses; the transcript records a settlement payment of $48,190.66 for a claim tied to 29655 Minton Street and an additional settlement amount referenced in the meeting record (cited separately in the transcript).

Item moved for further review

- Asphalt millings / hard-surfacing waiver (owner request): An owner requested a waiver to allow existing asphalt millings to remain on the rear portion of a commercial property rather than install hard surfacing. After questions from the building and engineering staff and requests by the city engineer and head of inspections for further review, the council agreed to place the item on the May 7 regular meeting agenda for a fuller staff report instead of approving it on consent.

Votes at a glance (consent and notable outcomes)

- Spree banners, road closures, carnival and fireworks permits (Ford Field, Skaminsky Veterans Park): approved on consent. - Petition (Emmett Contracting) planned residential development (14821 & 14829 Farmington) — waiver use for two buildings, 58 senior independent apartments: approved on consent. - Petition (Robertson Brothers Homes) site plan — 15 buildings, 100 townhome units at 37640 7 Mile Road: approved on consent. - Petition (Symmetry Management / Kava) 2,515 sq ft restaurant with pickup window and drive-lane at 39207 7 Mile Road: approved on consent. - Petition (Wade Shows) carnival at former Sears parking lot (May 19—6/8 setup and event window): approved on consent. - EMCO promotional testing authorization (ceiling $30,000): approved on consent. - SMART municipal credits agreement ($89,424) for Livonia Community Transit Program: approved on consent. - CARES Act / CDBG amendment (use of remaining $188,320 for touchless fixtures and small-business grants): approved on consent. - LJAL sponsorships and sublease for Rotary Park diamonds 1—4: approved on consent. - Public-art program continuation (low-cost stipend approach): approved on consent. - Pavilion 2 roof replacement (Cena Roofing & Sheet Metal, $21,512; insurance reimbursement): approved on consent. - Newberg Church exterior wood repair and painting (Randy Travis Painting LLC, ~$48,875) and $10,000 appropriation from historic trust fund: approved on consent. - OHM Advisors contract amendment (RRA/ERP and master planning work; up to $125,400): approved on consent. - Drinking Water SRF project plan submission to identify and replace lead service lines (seeking $5,000,000 loan): approved to submit project plan. - Sewer-backup settlements (MMRMA claims): approved on consent (transcript lists $48,190.66 for 29655 Minton Street and a separate related payout referenced in the meeting record).

What council members and staff said

Developer Brad Emmett described the senior project as "largely brick" and said the design and placement followed earlier planning feedback. "We're owners of Aletha and will be for quite some time, so we have to live with these buildings long term," Emmett said during his presentation.

Public Works Director Ryan Pero summarized the SRF project plan: "This is a project plan to help identify water service line materials and change out lead lines as they are found," he said, adding the plan pairs mapping, hydraulic modeling and asset-management updates with state loan applications.

Next steps and timing

Most approved items were included in the council's consent packet and will be formalized at the next regular meeting cycle; the council directed staff to bring additional detail on the asphalt-millings waiver at the regular City Council meeting on May 7 so building-inspection and engineering staff can provide input and an on-record recommendation.

Lede source notes: Approvals and comments are drawn from council discussion, applicant presentations and staff reports recorded on the February study-session transcript.