Livonia planning commission approves recommendation for daycare at 28275 5 Mile Road with conditions

The Livonia City Planning Commission voted to forward an approving recommendation to city council for Petition 2024-twelve-twenty, a request by Nene’s Little Angels Daycare to operate a childcare nursery at 28275 5 Mile Road, contingent on multiple site and operational conditions and on city council and state approvals where required.

The commission’s recommendation, approved by voice/roll call, requires the city council to waive the zoning ordinance’s 5,000-square-foot minimum outdoor play-area requirement before the daycare can operate with the smaller play area shown on the submitted plans.

Why it matters: The petitioner proposes to reuse an existing 3,606-square-foot commercial building on a 21,131-square-foot parcel at the southwest corner of 5 Mile Road and Lyon Street for a licensed childcare center for children ages about 6 weeks to 5 years. The facility would be licensed for about 90 children with approximately 15 staff, and neighbors raised concerns about outdoor noise, traffic and the location of the dumpster adjacent to the proposed play area.

Planning staff Jacob Buhazi presented the petition and site plan updates, noting the lot is split-zoned C1 and P and that the proposed fenced outdoor play area measures about 2,900 square feet — short of the zoning requirement. Buhazi said the commission and city council can waive the 5,000-square-foot requirement if the relevant state regulatory body approves. Staff also summarized departmental reviews: Wayne County engineering noted existing public sanitary sewer and water main service and that any new development beyond building…