Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Livonia City Council study session on May 4, 2026 focused primarily on a coordinated $26-27 million redevelopment of Millennium Park involving Costco, Meijer, and El Car Wash. The Planning Commission-approved projects include relocating Costco's fueling facility from 13700 Middlebelt Rd. to 13550 Middlebelt Rd. with expanded capacity (8 to 20 pumps), constructing a new Meijer gas station and convenience store at 1300 Middlebelt Rd., and building an El Car Wash at the same address. All three items were placed on consent agenda for the May 18th voting meeting.
Key Decisions (10)
Block Party Approval - Alexander St.
Block party request from Jasmine Cohn approved for Thursday, June 4th, 2026 (last day of LPS school) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. between 14926 and 14966 Alexander St. Event includes Kona Ice, hot dogs, and water games for elementary school children.
Sidewalk Waiver - Shadyside St. Infill Lots
Sidewalk requirement waived for Shadyside Development LLC for properties at 19301, 19309, and 19317 Shadyside St. Engineering department recommended approval as no sidewalks exist on west side of street or both sides of Gable St. in the neighborhood.
Costco Fueling Facility Relocation - Millennium Park
Waiver petition 2026-01-02-03 from Costco Wholesale Corporation to remove existing 8-pump fuel facility at 13700 Middlebelt Rd., construct 88 new parking spaces there, and build new 20-pump fueling facility at 13550 Middlebelt Rd. (behind Bob's Furniture). Project addresses traffic safety concerns at Middlebelt/Millennium Dr. intersection, identified as the most dangerous section of roadway in Livonia.
Meijer Gas Station and Convenience Store - 1300 Middlebelt Rd.
Waiver petition 2026-01-02-04 from Meijer Incorporated to construct 8-pump gas station with approximately 3,300 square foot convenience store at 1300 Middlebelt Rd., east side between Schoolcraft Rd. and CSX Railroad. Planning Commission approved with condition to eliminate one driveway accessing city service drive west of Meijer Garden Center.
El Car Wash Construction - 1300 Middlebelt Rd.
Waiver petition 2026-01-02-05 from El Car Wash Midwest LLC to construct auto wash establishment at 1300 Middlebelt Rd. on Meijer property. Design includes 24 enclosed vacuum stations in climate-controlled building plus 7 outdoor vacuums. Building features masonry, split block, brick, and glass construction. Facility recycles over 80% of water. Located approximately 1,800 feet from nearest residence.
DWSRF Authorized Representative Amendment
Amendment to council resolution 151-25 to replace Don Roraff with Zachary Hopala as authorized representative for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund application for lead service line replacement (up to $5 million).
GLWA Water Service Contract Amendment #5
Approval of water service contract amendment with Great Lakes Water Authority effective July 1, 2027 through 2030. Amendment updates valve nomenclature and reduces max day limitation from 23 million to 21.4 million gallons per day and peak hour from 33 million to 30 million gallons per day based on six years of meter data.
Stormwater Agreement - Plymouth Auto Sales
Acceptance of stormwater facilities maintenance agreement from Plymouth Auto Sales for storm drain system at 36534 Plymouth Rd. (former Indian Motorcycle/Honey Bins location) in southwest quarter of section 29.
Stormwater Agreement - Seven Mile Meijer
Acceptance of stormwater facilities maintenance agreement with Seven Mile and Farmington Venture Limited Partnership for future Meijer at 33500 Seven Mile Rd. in southeast quarter of section four.
Stormwater Agreement - J.B. Toole
Acceptance of stormwater facilities maintenance agreement from J.B. Toole for storm drain system at 1300 Farmington Rd. in northwest quarter of section 27.
Development Activity (6)
Millennium Park Redevelopment - Costco Fueling Facility
New 20-pump fueling facility replacing existing 8-pump station; 88 new parking spaces at old location; part of $26-27 million coordinated investment; modeled after Green Oak and Canton Costco facilities
Meijer Express Gas Station and Convenience Store
8-pump gas station with approximately 3,300 square foot convenience store; four-sided brick building; part of $26-27 million coordinated Millennium Park investment
El Car Wash
Auto wash with 24 enclosed vacuum stations in climate-controlled glass building plus 7 outdoor vacuums; masonry/brick/glass construction; recycles 80%+ of water; 1,800 feet from nearest residence; blocks 6 of 12 Meijer drive lanes to improve traffic safety
Future Meijer - Seven Mile and Farmington
New Meijer store; stormwater agreement accepted indicating construction advancing
Plymouth Auto Sales
Auto sales facility at former Indian Motorcycle/Honey Bins location; stormwater agreement accepted; adjacent to recently completed $20 million MDOT road project to Ann Arbor Rd.
Shadyside St. Infill Development
Three infill residential lots; sidewalk requirement waived due to absence of sidewalks in existing neighborhood
Market Signals (6)
Commercial Demand
Costco, Meijer, and El Car Wash are investing $26-27 million in Millennium Park redevelopment, indicating strong confidence in regional retail center performance.
Infrastructure
The Middlebelt Rd./Millennium Dr. intersection is identified as the most dangerous section of roadway in Livonia, driving significant private investment in traffic improvements.
Commercial Demand
El Car Wash representative noted 75%+ of car wash business at Meijer pad locations comes from customers already shopping in the plaza, supporting trip-chain retail development model.
Sentiment
Council member stated Livonia is approximately 100% built out, requiring innovative redevelopment approaches rather than greenfield development.
Housing Demand
Reduced water consumption across GLWA service area has decreased Livonia's max day water allocation from 23 million to 21.4 million gallons per day, reflecting efficiency improvements and potentially slower growth.
Other
Council is actively working on data center and car wash moratorium ordinances, with the law department conducting research; timeline not yet established.