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Planning Commission recommends approval for Lux Event banquet waiver at 27600 Schoolcraft Road
Summary
The Livonia Planning Commission voted to forward an approving recommendation to City Council for Lux Event LLC’s waiver‑use request to operate a banquet facility at 27600 Schoolcraft Road, subject to conditions including adherence to the submitted floor plan, rear‑drive repairs, and signage limits.
The Livonia Planning Commission on a majority vote recommended that the City Council approve Lux Event LLC’s request to operate a banquet facility at 27600 Schoolcraft Road, subject to multiple conditions.
Mr. Newhouse of planning staff told the Commission the site sits in the Buckingham Village shopping center and is zoned C‑2. Under current code a waiver use is required for a banquet center of this type and section 6.14 ordinarily requires a 300‑foot separation from residential or church uses; the applicant asked the Commission to recommend a waiver to allow the use adjacent to the Buckingham Village subdivision. Staff noted the petitioner’s parcel is about 0.79 acres with 112 feet of frontage and that the plaza as a whole provides roughly 224 parking spaces under a cross‑access agreement even though the petitioner’s parcel has 30 spaces on site.
Tiffany Munson, the petitioner’s representative, described plans for a luxury, all‑inclusive event center aimed at small and mid‑sized private events. "Livonia is the only place I really want my luxury event center to be located," Munson said, describing a dimmable interior, a bridal room and a reception/dance area and saying the business will require certified vendors for alcohol service rather than an in‑house liquor license.
Department reviews read into the record noted several items that will be addressed at permit review: Engineering raised no objection but noted utility and address details; Fire said suppression and alarm monitoring or kitchen suppression may be required and that occupancy will be assigned by the Building Department; Inspection reminded the Commission the rear alley and rear area must be repaired and that the City’s noise ordinance applies; Police and Finance reported no objections. Jacob Jose (planning staff) confirmed the petitioner provided a letter granting cross‑access to the entire shopping center parking area.
After questions from commissioners about parking logistics, rear‑alley repair responsibility, lighting and whether the existing restrooms meet current code, Commissioner Denaro moved to approve the waiver subject to conditions that include adhering to the submitted floor plan; submission of specific plans to the Inspection Department at permit application; that no freestanding or wall signs are approved with the petition (signs must be separately submitted for review unless otherwise noted in the approving resolution); operating hours set in the resolution; repair and resealing of the rear drive to the Inspection Department’s satisfaction; prohibition of LED banding and exposed neon; and a waiver limited to this petitioner with any new user required to obtain City Council consent prior to transfer. The motion, supported by Commissioner DeRose, carried and will be forwarded to City Council as an approving recommendation.
The City Council has the final authority; if the waiver is denied there is a 10‑day written appeal right from the petitioner, and staff warned the Building and Fire reviews at permit stage may impose additional, code‑required modifications.
