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Livonia panel approves redesigned El Carwash in Meyer plaza with conditions on design, lighting and vacuums
Summary
After major design revisions—enclosing vacuums, changing materials and lowering lighting—the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of an El Carwash at the Meyer plaza, imposing conditions on landscaping, lighting, signage and allowing up to seven outdoor vacuum stalls.
The Livonia Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a waiver use for a new El Carwash on the northern pad of the Meyer plaza at 13000 Middle Belt Road, concluding the petitioner substantially revised the project after a study session.
Staff described the car wash as a roughly 4,500‑square‑foot enclosed wash tunnel with 26 on‑site parking spaces and additional enclosed vacuum stations; the petitioner added seven outdoor vacuums behind the car wash and enclosed the vacuum area to reduce visual and sound impacts. Engineering, fire and inspection letters were read into the record and asked only for standard plan submissions and for certain fire‑safety clarifications.
El Carwash and the developer said they redesigned the façade, replaced fluorescent neon bands with muted materials and added masonry and glass so the building would be less visually aggressive. Company operations representatives told the commission the firm recycles more than 80% of the water used and that vacuums will use sound mitigation measures; the company also said the use tends to generate very little net new traffic because customers typically combine car wash visits with grocery or retail trips in the same plaza.
Several residents urged caution about aesthetics, the number of signs on Middle Belt and potential traffic impacts; commissioners pressed the petitioner on landscaping species, the location of the bailout lane and the design of the trash enclosure. The commission’s approving resolution included detailed conditions: updated stamped site, landscape and elevation drawings; limits on canopy and site lighting; prohibition on exterior promotional flags or vehicles without local approval; masonry trash enclosures; limitation on signage to conforming signs or separate ZBA approvals; and a specific allowance for up to seven outdoor vacuums (the petitioner had proposed seven during the meeting). The roll call vote was 6–0 in favor of the recommending resolution; the item will go to City Council for final action.
