Council clears transfer for Plymouth Road used-car lot, adds delivery restriction

The Livonia City Council reviewed a request to transfer a zoning waiver that originally authorized an automobile dealership at 30805/30835 Plymouth Road. Property owner Richie(ie) George told the council he seeks to transfer the approval to prospective operator Ali Salah, who attended and described his business model.

Ali Salah said his inventory typically consists of newer vehicles (generally under about 140,000 miles) and that most vehicles are picked up by his staff or delivered on smaller tow trucks rather than by semi-trailer haulers. "Most of those tow trucks are the ones that have, uh, they can put a vehicle on top of the roof and the vehicle on the back," Salah said, describing usual delivery methods.

City staff summarized the original 2014 approval and noted the waiver historically was limited to a specific user; the current request asks that the waiver be transferred to the new operator and that the existing conditions remain in force. Councilmembers asked about outstanding site improvements (catch basins, masonry wall) and were told required items had been addressed.

Councilmember Donovic proposed and the council adopted an approving motion on consent with an added condition requiring that vehicles not be loaded or unloaded on Plymouth Road; any deliveries must be made inside the business's parking lot. Council recorded the item as approved on consent; no roll-call vote tally was provided in the study session minutes.

Why it matters: Transferring the waiver allows a new operator to occupy the property and resume dealership operations under existing zoning conditions. Council imposed a delivery restriction to address safety and traffic concerns on the busy Plymouth Road corridor.

What happens next: The transfer was approved on consent at the study session; the new owner plans to close the property sale contingent on council approval.