Commission backs consignment furniture store at 20412 Farmington Road after neighbors’ access concerns clarified

The Livonia City Planning Commission on May 5 voted to recommend approval of a waiver allowing Second Showing LLC to operate a consignment furniture store at 20412 Farmington Road.

Planner Jacob Uhasi told the commission the business has operated at the location for two years and that the store does not use outdoor storage, donation bins or sidewalk sales. The building is just under one acre with roughly 6,100 square feet of usable retail area; the site has 41 parking spaces (21 front, 20 rear), which staff said meets zoning requirements for this use.

Uhasi read a letter from the elderly owners explaining they moved the business to Livonia two years ago and keep regular hours (letter lists hours as 11:30 to 03:30). Several residents from nearby Shadyside Street told the commission they feared the property’s narrow strip could be turned into a driveway or access point, bringing commercial traffic and safety risks. Resident David Evangelista asked the commission to condition any approval to prevent access from Shadyside.

Staff clarified that the petitioner proposed no changes to the existing building or access and that the only driveway is the 30-foot drive off Farmington Road; a change in site plan that created new access would require separate review. Several residents raised concerns about stormwater retention and the potential loss of a berm or planting strip if a road were ever cut through; staff said the approved development plan and landscaping commitments would remain unchanged by the easement/waiver process.

Commissioner O’Hara moved to approve the waiver with conditions prohibiting overnight outdoor storage, outdoor sales or display and limiting the waiver to the current applicant (transfer requires City Council approval). The roll call was unanimous with the commission forwarding an approving recommendation to City Council.

Next steps: City Council will receive the commission’s recommendation; permits or future site-plan changes would require additional review and public notice.