Planners back 12‑bed adult foster care home on 8 Mile Road with conditions after neighborhood concerns

The Livonia City Planning Commission voted on July 7 to recommend approval of a waiver use for a licensed adult foster care medium group home (7–12 capacity) at 38525 8 Mile Road. Commissioner Droz moved the approving resolution, which passed on roll call with Droz, Long, Ventura and Dinaro voting aye and Chair Wilshaw voting no. The commission imposed conditions including adherence to the submitted floor plan, submission of specific plans to the inspection department at the time of building permit application, compliance with ADA and state code requirements, preservation of the site’s historic building character, and limits on signage and transfers of the waiver use.

Staff noted the site’s long history and its historic status in Livonia; adult foster care is permitted in RUF zoning for six or fewer residents but requires waiver approval for capacities over six. The applicant proposed using an existing adaptive‑reuse structure with 12 bedrooms, and staff reported the site plan shows 24 parking spaces (including four barrier‑free), meeting the parking requirement of 16 spaces.

Neighbors voiced detailed objections at the public hearing, citing potential increases in traffic and service vehicle trips, concerns about kitchen capacity and whether the existing home kitchen could serve up to 12 residents, adequacy and placement of bathrooms and showers, trash volume and animal attractants, preservation of the historic façade, fencing, exterior lighting, visitor hours, staffing ratios and training, and the adequacy of the proposed floor plan to meet state licensing standards. Speakers included Jim Bigel, who reviewed state licensing facility requirements and recommended more detailed floor‑plan revisions; Raymond Waldo, who raised trash and wildlife concerns; and several immediate neighbors who urged careful review.

The applicant’s representative, Joe Hammond, and operations manager Simona described operations at an existing six‑person home, said they will follow state licensing inspections, use long‑term care pharmacy blister packs for medications, require CPR certification and state‑approved direct‑care training for staff, and maintain visiting hours of 11 a.m.–7 p.m. The proposed backyard patio is fenced and the applicant said they will consider modest paving or pavers for outdoor recreation as required.

Commissioner Droz’s approving resolution included explicit conditions referencing the approved sheet A‑03 floor plan, ADA and Michigan building code compliance, required submittal to the inspection department for permit review, signage limits, and historic preservation requirements for the building’s significant architectural features. The commission will forward its recommendation to city council for final action.