Livonia · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Livonia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
EV charging station rezoning at 15150 Levan Road
A petition would rezone a Levan Road property from Local Business to General Business to allow an electric vehicle charging lot as the main use. Residents can weigh in at the public hearing before any Council decision.
Unpermitted privacy fence encroaching side yard at 27521 West Chicago
A fence was built without permits and sits 44 feet into the required side yard, forward toward the front of the property. The board will decide whether the homeowner can keep it or must bring it into compliance.
Rear yard setback variance for home addition at 14375 Denne
A homeowner wants to add 289 square feet of living space plus a covered porch that would fall short of the required rear yard setback. The board will weigh the addition against setback standards.
Commercial short-term rental proposed in residential district at 15454 Golfview
A homeowner wants to operate a commercial short-term rental in a residential neighborhood where it's prohibited. The outcome could set the tone for how Livonia handles short-term rentals.
Oversized accessory shed requested at 20130 Hubbard
A homeowner wants to add a shed larger than the 200-square-foot limit while keeping an existing garage. The board will decide if the extra storage is reasonable for the lot.
LED streetlight conversion completion
The last 1,542 old high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor lights go LED with heavy grant reimbursement — the city's share is about $63,000, paid back in four months of energy savings. Some residents raised brightness concerns.
Native plant gardens vs. noxious weed ordinance
Residents who replace conventional lawns with native plant gardens or meadows could face weed-ordinance citations. The proposed amendment would add non-enforcement language so eco-friendly landscaping isn't penalized.
Regulating data centers in Livonia
The commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing on whether to amend the zoning ordinance to define and regulate data centers, including which districts they could occupy and what special requirements would apply. This could shape whether large data center facilities can come to Livonia and under what conditions.
Housing Sustainability chapter for the Master Plan
Proposed Vision 21 Master Plan amendments would add a new Book 5 on Housing Sustainability and revise the Future Land Use Map. The commission was to consider asking City Council for authorization to release the drafts for public review before an adoption hearing.
Apartment dog run variance request at 31200 Morlock
SG Apple Ridge Apartments wants a 3,500-square-foot fenced dog run, 3,300 square feet over what the code allows. The board tabled it in August so the applicant could revise the plan. Residents near Morlock can weigh in at the hearing.
Zoning moratoria tool (proposed Section 13.16)
A proposed new Section 13.16 would establish how and why the city can impose moratoria — temporary holds — on specific zoning uses. This would give the city a tool to pause certain types of development while rules are studied or updated.
Part-time Parks and Recreation wage adjustments
Wage rates and classifications for part-time Parks and Recreation employees would be adjusted.
Outdoor storage facility waiver at 34426 Rosati Avenue
Infinity Acquisitions, LLC, wants a zoning waiver to run an outdoor storage yard for a special trades contractor on Rosati Avenue. Nearby residents will want to watch what gets stored and how it looks from the street.
Employee assistance and insurance programs
The city would renew workers' compensation and liability/property insurance covering December 2026 through November 2028.
Water meter purchase
Up to $750,000 for Sensus water meters from Etna Supply, the sole source provider in Michigan.
Golf course maintenance building roofs
All three golf course maintenance buildings get new roofs and related repairs for $224,500, paid entirely from the golf course capital fund.
HOA seat at the table in new developments
A homeowners association leader said residents get no input when developers hand over common areas, leaving HOAs stuck with defective work after bonds are released. He asked for a policy change at building, inspection and engineering.
Fiscal year 2026 budget amendments
Leaf pickup, recycling, transit staffing and bus repairs, cable fund shortfalls and higher Great Lakes Water Authority bills are driving year-end amendments. Council Member Carrie Budzinski pressed whether these costs were built into next year's budget.
Housing commission transparency and website confusion
Residents questioned why the Housing Commission's contract with its consultant never came before council and whether city contracting rules apply to it. Council Member Persiconi explained the commission runs its own budget and approves its own contracts.
Fiscal year 2025 budget adjustments
Leaf pickup, recycling, transit staffing and bus repairs, cable fund shortfalls and higher Great Lakes Water Authority bills are driving year-end amendments. Council Member Carrie Budzinski pressed whether these costs were built into next year's budget.
Mid-Michigan Recycling lease extension
A five-year extension of the lease of five acres at 32000 Glendale Avenue for wood processing and disposal.
Workers' compensation insurance savings
Competitive pressure drove the excess coverage price from $190K down to $150K a year, saving the city meaningfully on a required insurance renewal.
Golden Oaks Village senior housing PILOT
The Housing Commission plans 100 income-restricted senior cottages on 9.5 acres of city land next to Newburgh Village, financed largely by state low-income housing tax credits. The 3% PILOT would take the site from $0 in taxes to roughly $37,000 a year once built and occupied.
Lead service line replacement grant
The city landed a $5 million state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund award — $500K forgiven, $4.5 million at 0% interest over 20 years — to find and replace lead water lines. The bond notice of intent is the paperwork step.
2027 Act 51 street changes
Streets newly opened or no longer open to public traffic in 2026 would be added or decertified, affecting state funding formulas.
14-unit condominium proposed on Five Mile Road
Oasisbuild, LLC is seeking approval for a 14-unit multi-family residential condominium on the north side of Five Mile Road. It would add new housing options in a corridor that already mixes residential and commercial uses.
Water main inspection technology pilot
A robot dropped in through fire hydrants can video and map the inside of live water mains, potentially turning $100,000 valve replacements into a few-thousand-dollar fixes. Three pilot sites are proposed for under $20,000.
Flock automated license plate surveillance
A first-time resident speaker, an engineer, warned that Flock and similar AI surveillance systems are dangerous and unsecured, and offered to brief council — echoing earlier concern that the contract passed on consent without debate.
Trash pickup reliability with Priority Waste
A resident reported repeated litter from the new trash contractor's recycling service; McCullough pointed to a DPW priority line that resolves route complaints quickly.
2026 Asphalt Road Program
The city's fourth year of the 2022 road millage will repave 22 segments for $3.8 million, with Harrison Road from Plymouth to West Chicago as the biggest project. Extending Nagle Paving's contract prices skips bidding but keeps a Livonia contractor with a bidder's preference working locally.
Residential cross-connection control program
Livonia must inspect roughly 36,000 homes' water connections for backflow hazards under a state mandate — a program neighbors have had for years. It could cost about $600,000 the first year and will be reviewed in committee.
Proposed FY 2027 City Budget and Property Tax Millage
The proposed $235 million budget is on the table, with property tax revenue projected at $79.8 million. Residents should know their average city tax bill is about $1,404/year and that only 32 cents of every tax dollar stays with the city. Big question marks: aging buildings and rising repair costs.
City Hall ADA ramp delay
Resident Frank Medurmont questioned why the permanent city hall ramp is stuck in committee, whether the proposed design is ADA compliant, and urged completion this fall before winter.
Blighted Livonia Corporate Center on Vassar
Resident Steve King pressed the council to modernize blight ordinances written for the 2009 foreclosure crisis, demanding vacant-property registration, escalating vacancy penalties, and accountability for a leaking roof at the Noble facility.
Sidewalk connectivity on Fairlane Avenue
A developer wants out of building sidewalks at four new homes, but the city's walkability goals say otherwise. Eleven existing homes on the street already lack sidewalks, fueling the debate.
Inkster Road improvement agreement
Wayne County is already improving Inkster Road and wants half of Livonia's share upfront. Work should wrap by mid-to-late October.
Police vehicle fleet replacement
Three unmarked police cars need replacing, one totaled with an insurance settlement covering part of the cost. Net budget impact is planned at zero.
Shelden Park improvements
The $5 million Shelden Park renovation is moving forward with bids $500K under estimate, but resident Steve King argues neighbors want a swimming pool, not the planned splash pad, and says there's been too little public input.
Dump truck purchases and procurement transparency
Residents pushed back hard on nearly $950,000 in dump truck purchases placed on the consent agenda without questions about how many trucks the city already owns. McCullough defended the cooperative purchasing agreement as fully documented in the packet.
Continued city use of John Stymelski Veterans Park
A one-year deal keeps the city using the park it swapped to the school district in 2000; the shorter term leaves room for future talks about the park.
Engineering consultant contracts extension
The city wants to keep its four engineering consulting firms on retainer for another five years to design roads, sewers, water mains and signals. Councilmember Budzinski sent it to the full Regular agenda, so expect more discussion on September 28.
Westbrook Drive rear-yard drainage improvements
Neighbors on Westbrook Drive south of Whitcomb are in line for rear-yard drainage fixes, with the contract headed to Dynamic Underground Group. Residents Jerry Karasinski and Denise Mika raised questions, so it goes to the full Regular agenda.
Fogo de Chao packaged beer and wine license
The Brazilian steakhouse at Six Mile and Fox wants to sell packaged beer and wine to go with its restaurant. It's a waiver use approval rather than a full bar license.
Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens mausoleum expansion
Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens Cemetery seeks approval to build a mausoleum on its Middle Belt Road property. The proposal would expand burial options at the existing cemetery.
Lower credit card fees for city payments
Switching from Point and Pay to BS&A drops the resident card payment fee from 2.8% to 2.65% and consolidates vendors.
Seven Mile Road planned residential development
Infinity Homes proposes seven attached ranch-style homes plus two single-family houses at the corner of Seven Mile and Floral. The project would bring multi-family housing to a currently single-family corner.
Farmington Road retail rezoning
Spartan National LLC wants three parcels on Farmington Road rezoned from neighborhood to general business to build a retail building between Seven Mile and Gable. Nearby residents may weigh in on how commercial development fits the area.
SCADA water system upgrades
A $58,000 engineering contract amendment will let public works remotely monitor water pressure and flow, including a pressure-reducing valve at Schoolcraft and Farmington — catching problems before they become emergencies.
Seven Mile/Farmington development agreement extension
The residential development approved in 2024 hasn't pulled a building permit yet; the developer wants a one-year extension. Council noted the fenced site has become an eyesore and wants a fuller discussion.
Wayne Road sidewalk project
A new sidewalk is planned on Wayne Road from Joy Road to Ann Arbor Trail, where many students walk to Churchill High School. Wayne County is covering $15,000 of the cost.