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Livonia council hears developer plan for Shops at College Park, developer seeks phasing flexibility to open grocery earlier
Summary
Developers described a mixed-use project at Hagerty and 6 Mile that would add a Whole Foods, roughly 150–165 apartments and numerous retail tenants; the developer asked the council to relax a zoning phasing rule so commercial occupancy can begin with apartment foundations in place. Residents raised traffic and entrance concerns; staff said Wayne County controls signal approvals.
Developers and city planners outlined a mixed-use plan for the former Comerica site at Hagerty and Six Mile Road, telling the Livonia City Council at its study session that the Shops at College Park would combine a grocer and multiple retail tenants with 150–165 apartment units.
City planning staff described the planned general development agreement and said the ordinance requires at least 30% of residential units be finished before commercial buildings can be occupied. Gerard Marcus of Hagerty 6 Partners asked the council for a special phasing adjustment so a grocer (Whole Foods) can open sooner; the developer proposed completing apartment foundations at the time of grocery opening and finishing residential construction afterward.
Planners said the request is similar to earlier adjustments made for other developments in the area and that the agreement still preserves site design standards — including architecture, signage, stormwater controls and permitted uses. Marcus said the team is awaiting permits and hoped to begin work on the Whole Foods in the first quarter of 2025, with other phases starting by mid-2025.
Several council members expressed support for the project’s retail and housing mix, calling it a significant investment for the corridor. Residents who live in Quakertown — including John Wysocki and Galen Tucker — urged the council to consider local traffic impacts, describing current congestion and asking whether the city can add entrances or additional access. Council members and staff responded that traffic signal locations and county road access are ultimately controlled by Wayne County engineers; the city can coordinate through the traffic commission and planning staff but cannot unilaterally relocate county-controlled infrastructure.
Council members advised residents to submit traffic concerns to city staff and the traffic commission for study; staff said the developer will meet Wayne County requirements for signalization and intersections as part of permitting.
The item was discussed at length at study session as part of the packet for the Dec. 18 regular meeting. No final vote on the development agreement was recorded at the study session; staff and the developer will continue permit work and return for final action at the regular meeting.
