Council approves multiple consent items including bank conversion, easement vacating, election vendor payment and library donations

At the study meeting Livonia’s council approved several consent items with minimal discussion:

• Vacating a storm-drain easement at 18586 Comstock Avenue: The council approved vacating the south 40 feet of a 30-foot storm drainage easement affecting Lot 239 of Gold Manor Subdivision No. 3 so the owners, Andrea and Benjamin Edwards, can construct a 200-square-foot shed. Engineering reviewed the request and had no objections; a 6-foot private utility easement on the property was not affected.

• Farmington Road site plan (17230 Farmington Road): Council approved a plan to renovate a former bank into a multi-tenant retail center with four leasable suites (ranging from about 688 sq ft to just under 1,600 sq ft). The petitioner will remove a drive-through lane, add demising walls, update the exterior and add a dumpster enclosure. Planning staff said the building has been vacant since 2013; the petitioner will provide additional tenant and design details to staff as leases are finalized.

• Election vendor payment: The council approved payment of $26,111 to Election Source for preparation of test ballots and testing of election equipment used in the November 5, 2024 state primary. The clerk said Election Source is the approved, sole vendor for test decks compatible with the city’s Dominion equipment.

• Library donations: Council accepted cash and gifts to the Livonia Public Library, including a large contribution (the Friends of the Library donated more than $50,000) that supports programming, summer reading, materials purchases, staff scholarships and other designated uses.

Each item was approved on the consent agenda; councilmembers asked staff to confirm outstanding tax items (in the gas station packet) and to supply follow-up documentation where noted.