City Council Study Meeting of 04/08/26 - 2026-04-08
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Livonia City Council study session on April 8, 2026 set the agenda for the April 20th voting meeting. Key items included approval of noise ordinance waivers for the Basilica of St. Mary festival and the Axe Parlor's liquor license relocation, Class C and SDM liquor license approvals for Capitol Grill at 17117 N Laurel Park Dr., and site plan approval for a new gas station at 36300 Five Mile Rd. The council also addressed bridge repairs at Idlewild Golf Course and HVAC replacements at Sandburg Library.
Key Decisions (15)
Noise Ordinance Waiver for Basilica of St. Mary Festival
Waiver approved for Basilica of St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church at 18100 Merriman Rd. to host festival with live music August 14-16, 2026. Saturday hours amended to end at 11 p.m. instead of 11:59 p.m. to align with other city festivals. Decibel requirements from St. Rafka waiver to be applied.
ALS Awareness Month Proclamation
Proclamation to designate May as ALS Awareness Month approved on consent agenda.
Class C and SDM Liquor License for Capitol Grill
Waiver petition 2026-02-02-06 submitted by Capital Grill Holdings Incorporated for Class C liquor license and SDM license at 17117 N Laurel Park Dr., north side of Six Mile Rd. near I-275. Requires waiver of separation requirement from Cooper's Hawk restaurant. Placed on regular agenda.
Class C Liquor License for Axe Parlor Relocation
Waiver petition 2026-02-02-09 submitted by C3 Michigan LLC for Axe Parlor to relocate to 15970 Middlebelt Rd. (former Anytime Fitness location). Requires waiver of separation from Steve's Family Dining (460 ft) and Detroit Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church (within 400 ft). Parking lot repairs required with bonding option.
Wade Shows Carnival at Former Sears Site
Waiver petition 2026-03-02-10 for Wade Shows Inc. carnival sponsored by Livonia AM Rotary Club at 29500 Seven Mile Rd. (former Sears) from May 18 through June 1, 2026. Event has occurred at this location since 1999. Approved on consent.
Gas Station Redevelopment at 36300 Five Mile Rd.
Site plan petition 2025-12-08-10 submitted by Charlie Bazzi for 363005 Mile Investment LLC to demolish existing 1960 gas station and construct new 3,640 sq ft gas station/convenience store at northeast corner of Levan Rd. and Five Mile Rd. Four pumps with T-shaped canopy, 13 parking spaces. Approved on consent with conditions.
Assistant Library Director Classification
Request to rename Branch Librarian for Operations position to Assistant Library Director. Position is vacant following Lindsay Fricke's promotion to Library Director. No budgetary impact. Placed on regular agenda for clarification of memorandum language.
Non-Represented Employee Clothing Allowance Increase
Request to increase clothing allowance voucher from $100 to $125 for non-represented employees and non-appointed department heads, matching union-negotiated benefit. Approved on consent.
Wayne County Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption
Resolution to adopt Wayne County Hazard Mitigation Plan as approved by FEMA on February 20, 2026 for five years. Required for eligibility for federal mitigation grant programs. Approved on consent.
Idlewild Golf Course Bridge Repairs
Award of bid for $40,900 to repair three bridges at Idlewild Golf Course holes 11, 15, and 16. Bridges are over 30 years old. Same company that originally installed bridges won low bid. Approved on consent from 509 Golf Course Capital account.
Sandburg Library HVAC and Boiler Replacement
Award of bid to Guardian Environment of Livonia for $121,922 to replace HVAC and boiler system at Sandburg Library. Five companies submitted bids after mandatory pre-bid meeting. Approved on consent from budgeted funds.
City Hall Annex Building Automation Controls
Waiver of formal bidding to award contract to Havel for $43,312 for temperature controls and building automation at City Hall Annex. 98.4% recoverable through EECBG grant. Approved on consent.
2026 Sidewalk/Pavement Replacement for Water Main Breaks
Award of contract 26-F to Joe Rotundo Construction of Livonia for $284,583.52 for water main break repairs. One-year contract with one-year extension option. Approved on consent.
Myrna Ave. Water Main Replacement
Award of contract to Brico Excavating Company for $689,000 to replace 2,800 linear feet of 1955 cast iron water main from Hubbard Rd. to Merriman Rd. Placed on regular agenda due to dollar amount.
Autism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Awareness Month Proclamation
Proclamation to designate April as Autism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Disease Awareness Month. Resident Noah Joseph presented detailed information about Hashimoto's disease affecting estimated 14 million Americans. Approved on consent.
Development Activity (3)
Capitol Grill Restaurant
Full-service restaurant with Class C liquor license (beer, wine, spirits for on-premises consumption) and SDM license (packaged beer and wine for off-premises). Expected to open within 1-2 months. Adjacent to Cooper's Hawk restaurant.
Axe Parlor Relocation
Recreational axe-throwing facility relocating from Livonia Plaza Shopping Center to former Anytime Fitness space adjacent to Banks Vacuum. Class C liquor license for canned alcoholic beverages. Maximum five groups per hour.
Five Mile Gas Station Redevelopment
Demolition of 1960 gas station (2,000 sq ft with service bays) and construction of new 3,640 sq ft gas station/convenience store. Building height 16.3 ft, 17 ft canopy. Four pumps serving eight vehicles in drive-in configuration. T-shaped canopy extending to building. 13 parking spaces, 2 EV charging stations. Combination of brick, ACM panels, and split-face block construction.
Market Signals (4)
Commercial Demand
Capitol Grill opening at Laurel Park area indicates continued restaurant investment in the Six Mile/I-275 corridor, following Cooper's Hawk development.
Commercial Demand
Gas station at Five Mile and Levan being completely redeveloped from 1960s facility to modern convenience store format suggests retail modernization trend.
Infrastructure
City replacing 71-year-old water main on Myrna Ave. ($689,000) indicates ongoing infrastructure investment in aging systems.
Housing Demand
Livonia Housing Commission senior facilities (McNamara, Newburgh, Silver Village) have implemented key fob security systems due to resident safety concerns from public access.