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Planning commission backs Penske’s Bill Brown Ford service expansion with conditions
Summary
The commission recommended approval of Penske Automotive Group’s waiver to operate an expanded Bill Brown Ford repair facility at 11813 Hubbard Street, subject to landscaping, parking and permitting conditions, and required recordable cross-access and limits on signage and exterior storage.
The Livonia Planning Commission on June 24 voted to recommend approval of a waiver-use petition from Penske Automotive Group to operate an expanded automobile repair facility in connection with Bill Brown Ford at 11813 Hubbard Street.
Planning staff described the site as roughly 1.96 acres with 300 feet of frontage on Hubbard, noting an existing 3,554-square-foot repair facility and proposed additions that would expand service operations and total roughly 40,359 square feet on the site. "The new petition seeks to construct the addition to their existing automobile repair facility, which would total 6,785 square feet," Jacob Uhasi of the planning department said during the staff presentation, and he noted parking and landscaping requirements in the zoning ordinance.
Charlie Harris, the petitioner, said Penske plans to consolidate service operations from Bill Brown to this location to provide longer-term repairs and customer service, while Quick Lane to the north will remain a stand-alone quick-service facility. "We do plan to bring all of our service operations from Bill Brown to this location, consolidating this and making a way for customers to enter and have their vehicles serviced," Harris told the commission.
City reviews raised technical conditions but no formal objections: engineering confirmed public water and sanitary sewer service is available and warned that work in the Hubbard right-of-way will require permits; the fire department required a fire suppression system and detailed plan review; the traffic bureau raised no objection; the inspection department required parking to be striped to local standards and compliance with the 2021 building and fire codes; and the treasury confirmed taxes on the property are paid.
Commissioner Bonjoro moved an approving resolution subject to conditions: submit specific plans when applying for building permits; upgrade and permanently maintain landscaping to meet section 10.3 of the zoning ordinance; provide 10-by-20-foot double-striped customer parking spaces (back-of-lot employee spaces may remain narrower); record a cross-access agreement with abutting properties; and defer signage review to a separate submission. The motion also made approval valid for one year from city council approval unless a building permit is obtained. Commissioners added a condition limiting exterior storage of parts and inoperable vehicles. The motion passed on a roll-call vote and the commission will forward an approving recommendation to city council.
