Livonia study session sends multiple development, procurement and contract items to consent or regular agendas
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Summary
The council reviewed a slate of development and procurement items Feb. 23, including Shops at College Park tenant updates (Charles Schwab, Fogo de Chao), LaFontaine parking and lighting changes, Fleming's SDM license, a previously approved hotel site plan, NEOGOV subscription, AFSCME contract, and several public works contracts; most items were referred to the March 9 consent agenda.
During its Feb. 23 study session the Livonia City Council reviewed a broad set of noncontroversial and procedural items and generally moved them to the March 9 consent agenda for final action.
Major development updates included a presentation from planner Mr. Termina on the Shops at College Park (a 21-acre planned general development): Building F will house Charles Schwab Investment Services (single-story, ~7,400 sq ft) and Building I is proposed as an 8,575 sq ft Fogo de Chao restaurant with about 210 seats and outdoor dining. Council praised planning commission refinements and agreed to place that item on consent.
A LaFontaine Auto Group (LAG) petition for a small parcel on Stark Road would remove an existing blighted house and create 26 parking spaces adjacent to dealership operations; LaFontaine representatives said they will bring existing lights into compliance, add a screening wall and consider a sidewalk where required. The planning commission recommended turning site lights off after hours; council supported placing the petition on consent.
Council reviewed Fleming's Prime Steakhouse's request for an SDM (specially designated merchant) license to sell sealed beer, wine and mixed spirits for off-premises consumption. Staff advised spacing requirements (no SDM within 500 feet of another SDM and no SDM within 400 feet of a church or school) were met; Fleming's manager said the license would cover occasional wine sales tied to wine dinners. Council indicated support to add the item to consent.
Other items scheduled for the March 9 consent agenda included: a previously approved 4-story hotel site plan re-submittal on Schoolcraft Road (Item 5 placed on regular), Civil Service requests (NEOGOV applicant-tracking renewal; AFSCME Local 1917 three-year contract), Parks & Recreation requests (emergency air-handler repair at Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center, sponsorship for the Livonia Junior Athletic League, Alexander Blue House carpet replacement), multiple public-works contracts and amendments (Alliance of Rouge Communities dues, generator preventative maintenance contract, sole-source cloud software for sewer inspections, 2026 concrete road program awards and construction engineering amendments). Several public commenters raised sustainability and demolition concerns; staff and petitioners confirmed permits and code compliance in multiple instances.
Most consent items were noncontroversial in the study session and will appear on March 9 for final approval. The study session did not include formal votes to approve those items; it served to surface questions and confirm the council is prepared to act at the next regular meeting.