Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commercial Renovation 17230 Farmington topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends approval to convert vacant Farmington Road building into multi-tenant retail center
Summary
The commission recommended approval, with conditions, for a plan to remodel a vacant former bank at 17230 Farmington Road into a 5,012-square-foot, four-suite retail center; the motion included conditions on landscaping, screening, lighting and signage and passed with one recorded no vote.
The Livonia City Planning Commission voted to recommend approving plans to renovate and convert the vacant building at 17230 Farmington Road into a multi-tenant retail center.
Planning staff described the property as a 150-by-230-foot parcel (34,500 square feet) currently zoned C-1 (local business). The petitioner proposes to remove the drive-through, increase storefront window height, paint and update the brick facade, add parking and a dumpster enclosure, and divide the building into four retail suites totaling 5,012 square feet. Staff noted required landscaping (trees and shrubs), parking (the site shows 51 spaces where 27 are required), and that detailed plan review for fire suppression will follow once tenants are known.
Architect Scott Munchnick said his clients purchased the building last year and "meet all the zoning requirements for this property with this type of use." He described plans to raise parapets to screen rooftop equipment, replace glass to increase street presence, restripe the lot, and install a compliant dumpster enclosure.
Staff read departmental correspondence into the record. The fire marshal asked the applicant to consider sprinkler/suppression and separation requirements when tenants are identified; the traffic bureau reported no objection; the engineering division raised no objections but noted right-of-way permits through Wayne County may be required for Farmington Road work. The chief accountant and treasurer recorded outstanding city charges: unpaid water and sewer ($462.43) and back taxes of $8,591.72, which the petitioner later said were paid on Nov. 27 and that the water bill would be handled.
Commissioners pressed for clarity on updated site plans submitted after the packet, truck turning and loading circulation at the southeast corner, and sign type (pylon vs. monument). The architect said he could re-stripe or eliminate a row of parking if necessary to accommodate truck turns and that signage would be returned to the commission for separate review.
A motion to approve the renovation and conversion was made with multiple conditions: approval of the referenced site plan and elevation drawings (SPA 1.01 and SPA 1.03 dated Nov. 1, 2024), sodding and irrigation of lawn areas, rooftop mechanical screening, dumpster enclosure construction to match building materials, lighting limits and curfews, prohibition of exposed neon or LED bands, and submittal of the approved plans with building permit applications; the approval was limited to one year from city-council approval unless permits are obtained. The motion passed on roll call with one recorded no vote; the commission will forward the approving recommendation to City Council for final action.
The fire and building-review comments will be addressed during formal plan review and permit review once specific tenants are identified.
