Livonia planning commission recommends approval for Express Wash at Fox Drive and 6 Mile Road

The Livonia City Planning Commission on a 4–1 roll call vote recommended that city council approve a waiver-use to allow an automated Express Wash on the former Buca de Beppo parcel at the northeast corner of Fox Drive and 6 Mile Road.

The motion, moved by Commissioner Kermit Magno and carried with Commissioners Magno, Long, Droz and Chairman Wilshaw voting aye and Commissioner Bangero voting no, directs staff to forward an approving resolution that includes 18 conditions tied to specific plan sheets, demolition and landscaping plans, photometrics, building elevations and stormwater detention submittals. The resolution sets hours of operation (Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.–7 p.m.), requires exterior lights to be aimed/shielded and turned off or dimmed between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., mandates a masonry-style three-sided dumpster enclosure with opaque gates, and prohibits exposed neon or attention-attracting promotional advertising unless separately approved.

Why it matters: The site is adjacent to Trinity House Theater, an intimate volunteer-run cultural venue, and a small historic cemetery. Neighbors and theater officials said the intensity of an auto-wash could aggravate existing parking shortages, increase noise and lighting impacts, and alter the character of the corridor near the 6 Mile/275 interchange. The commission’s approval is only a recommendation; city council will hold the final public hearing and make the final decision.

What the staff and petitioner said: Planner Jacob Uhasi described the 1.61-acre site and the proposed layout: a 14,229-square-foot building with three…