Planning commission recommends SDM license for K Ramen and Sushi at 31823 Plymouth Road

The Livonia City Planning Commission voted to forward an approving recommendation to the City Council for a waiver to allow K Ramen and Sushi to operate with an SDM license (sale of packaged beer and wine for off-premises consumption) at 31823 Plymouth Road.

The recommendation, made at a public hearing, was for petitioner Scott Kim and includes conditions that rooftop mechanical equipment be concealed to the satisfaction of the planning and inspection departments, that the dumpster area be enclosed in materials complementary to the building, and that the parking lot be repaired, resealed and restriped to specified dimensions.

The petition (recorded in the meeting as “20 20 five-one-two-three”) seeks a waiver under Section 6.03 of the Livonia Zoning Ordinance to permit a packaged-beverage license in connection with a new grocery and limited-service restaurant operating in a building that formerly housed Seiya Sushi. The site is zoned C-1 (local business); zoning across Plymouth Road is C-2 and the adjacent businesses include Antonio’s restaurant, which already holds an SDM/class C license and lies roughly 60 feet to the east of the proposed store.

Planning staff described the proposed layout: a grocery and refrigerated area in the front third of the building, a sushi bar at the center, and a kitchen and support spaces in the rear. The plan shows seating for 28 (18 seats along the western wall and four at the sushi bar). Parking calculations presented at the hearing noted that SDM parking requirements (one space per 300 square feet) would require seven spaces for the SDM portion, ITE guidance lists 11 spaces for a convenience-store use, and the submitted site plan shows 31 parking spaces.

Jacob Uhasi of the planning staff summarized departmental reviews and recommended conditions. Engineering noted the property is served by public sanitary sewer, storm water and water main and that any disturbances in the Plymouth Road right-of-way will require Michigan Department of Transportation permits. The fire marshal, Bridal Kukula, placed a condition on approval: the business’s pre-engineered cooking system shows an overdue semiannual inspection (due 06/28/2024) and the fire division recommended denial of the liquor-license request until documentation shows the system is current. The police department’s special services bureau and traffic unit reported no objection contingent on compliance with state law, city ordinances and conditions from the Livonia Police Department Liquor Investigation Unit.

Staff and inspectors also flagged site-improvement items: rooftop mechanical equipment visible from the street, a damaged parking lot that requires repair and restriping, and the need for a three-sided dumpster enclosure with solid-panel gates. Jerome Hatta, Director of Inspection, recommended that the 1,000-foot tavern-license proximity standard and rooftop screening be handled as required by city council or through conditions; the commission ultimately added language delegating screening determination and, where appropriate, screening materials and dumpster location to the planning and inspection departments.

Petitioner Scott Kim spoke briefly about the business concept: “we're gonna make it something special at the bowl,” he said, describing a Korean-fusion ramen and sushi menu and plans to stock packaged Korean beers and other items from regional suppliers. The property owner’s representative, Waseem Al Sheik, told the commission he would “definitely commit to fixing some of the issues,” referring to parking-lot repairs and other exterior improvements.

A nearby resident, Adam Kempa of 11405 Berwick, said he has lived about five houses from the site for roughly 30 years and raised neighborhood concerns about alcohol sales, traffic and parking along the narrow adjacent streets. “Does that mean Burger King can start selling liquor and all the other places under that precedent?” Kempa asked, and he cited continuing traffic and parking problems behind the restaurant.

Commission discussion focused on the incomplete nature of the building-submittal items — especially how rooftop equipment would be screened and how screening materials would look from Plymouth Road. Planning staff said they had discussed the issue with the inspection division and recommended giving the inspection and planning departments discretion to determine whether screening is necessary and, if so, what materials and methods should be used, to avoid creating an unsightly or ill-fitting screen.

Commissioner Thomas Long moved to approve the staff resolution recommending council approval, with conditions that rooftop mechanical equipment be concealed to the satisfaction of the planning and inspection departments; that the three walls of the trash/dumpster area be constructed of building materials that complement the building with solid-panel steel or durable fiberglass gates; that the dumpster enclosure be maintained closed when not in use; that the dumpster location be determined by the planning and inspection departments; and that the parking lot be repaired, resealed and restriped to double-striped spaces 10 feet wide by 20 feet deep. The motion was seconded by Commissioner DeNaro and carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting aye. The commission will forward the recommendation to City Council for final determination. If City Council denies a waiver of use or site plan, the petitioner has 10 days to appeal the decision in writing to the council; resolutions adopted by the Planning Commission become effective seven days after adoption.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved the recommending resolution (motion by Commissioner Long; second by Commissioner DeNaro) with conditions addressing rooftop screening, dumpster enclosure design and parking-lot repairs. The vote was recorded as all present voting aye and the recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final action.

Next steps: the item will appear on the City Council agenda for final action; the fire marshal’s inspection documentation must be brought current and all stipulated conditions met for council consideration.