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Livonia council approves Meijer redevelopment and associated townhomes at 33500 W. 7 Mile Road
Summary
After extensive review, the council voted 7-0 to approve a planned general development for a 75,466-square-foot Meijer and townhome component at 33500 West 7 Mile Road, with conditions including landscaping, signage adjustments, cart controls and commitments to buffering and stormwater improvements.
The Livonia City Council unanimously approved a planned general development resolution for 33500 West 7 Mile Road that will replace a long-vacant big-box site with a 75,466-square-foot Meijer grocery store and a multifamily townhome component.
Council members said the developer made numerous changes during review to address landscaping, signage and buffering concerns raised by residents and the council. Councilman Donovic summarized the changes and emphasized the environmental and visual improvements planned: reduced impervious surface area (from about 91% to 76%), new underground detention for stormwater, and additional vegetation and sound walls.
"We're gonna go from a 150,000 square feet of building to a 75,000 square foot Meijer," Councilman Donovic said, noting reductions in impervious area and the addition of underground detention. He added the plan includes controls to limit cart abandonment and other measures aimed at minimizing impacts on neighbors.
Councilwoman Toye and other members expressed mixed feelings about rewarding a property owner who had let a corner deteriorate, but said the revised plan and added protections made the project acceptable. Toye asked whether the store could proceed without an SDM (off-premises beer and wine) license; a developer representative said the SDM is a critical component of grocery operations and requested the council's support for the waiver under 500 feet.
Five residents spoke during public comment. Some urged restrictions on hours (several residents asked for earlier closing than midnight) while others praised the redevelopment and said the new store and townhomes would revitalize the corner.
Council members asked the developer and staff to ensure all agreed changes were captured in the final resolution language before the document is filed. After those assurances, the council voted to approve the resolution 7-0.
What's next: The developer will work with city staff to finalize the resolution language and follow required permitting steps. The council asked staff to reflect all negotiated modifications in the final approval documents before formal recordation.
