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Livonia planning panel approves LAG Development parking expansion with lighting and fencing conditions
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of LAG Development’s request to remove a house at 11315 Stark Road and add roughly 22–26 parking spaces for the La Fontaine Automotive dealership at 34501 Plymouth Road, imposing a photometric study, shielded fixtures, privacy wall extension and maintenance conditions before the City Council decision.
The Livonia City Planning Commission voted to recommend City Council approval of a waiver‑use petition from LAG Development to remove the house and garage at 11315 Stark Road and add parking in connection with the automotive dealership at 34501 Plymouth Road. The motion, offered by Commissioner Bongero, included conditions on paving, landscaping and lighting and passed by recorded vote.
Commission staff told the panel the site is zoned C‑2 and the proposed lot adds about 22–26 inventory parking spaces. Planner Jacob Uhasi said engineering and departmental reviews found no objections but listed permit items and stormwater/detention requirements. Uhasi noted the developer submitted a photometric plan showing an average of 6.03 foot‑candles on the lot and a maximum of 20.6; at the property line the average was 0.16 with a maximum of 0.5 foot‑candles.
Petitioner Gary Land Roche of Lag Development told commissioners the capped utilities were handled under demolition permits, that the photometric plan covers only the two proposed new poles and that the fixtures will be shielded and aimed so "we are compliant with the ordinance with a maximum of 0.5, at the property line." He proposed brick‑faced masonry screening walls and additional green‑belt plantings to meet frontage landscaping requirements.
Neighbors asked the commission to limit light trespass and to ensure onsite maintenance. James Arnold, who lives immediately west of the commercial wall, said the lights currently "come on at 05:37 in the morning, and they go off about 09:20 in the evening," and urged shielded fixtures and reduced hours. The petitioner agreed to provide shields, consider motion sensing and to have lights dimmed or turned off after hours of operation.
The commission approved the waiver with conditions that require adherence to submitted paving and landscape plans, a lighting plan acceptable to the planning department with fixtures not exceeding 20 feet and aimed/shielded to minimize trespass, permanent maintenance of landscaping, dust/garbage cleanup along adjoining property lines and extension of privacy fencing/walls where missing. An added stipulation requires the petitioner to perform and submit a photometric survey of existing conditions and bring any non‑compliant existing fixtures into compliance.
The commission’s recommendation will go to the City Council for final action; the approval is valid for one year from council approval unless building permits are obtained and construction commenced.
