[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6362470,"mediaKeyId","2167798-28474a0811ff7196acef8657729759e6","parentId",2167798,"title","Residents urge delay and committee review for Sheetz rezoning at 8 Mile and Newburgh","audioSeconds",421,"startMs",2232000,"endMs",2653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167798-28474a0811ff7196acef8657729759e6&start=2232&end=2653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167798-28474a0811ff7196acef8657729759e6/thumbnail_2232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6362470/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Residents-urge-delay-and-committee-review-for-Sheetz-rezoning-at-8-Mile-and-Newburgh","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362470-1d4847944ca2293df241525d88bf1b3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771130463&Signature=bHkgdUAeRdbNR~DNapf8US45Rvo9XPNl3IGvUkVEGwKKQjoftQegjxMWaTC8Tdr8msFh-jJrz-2J2yM3Qi0DonSeHxklBV7DdyQwTczJT75nAz0BwKxcou2qh2m2d3V4VZ6IFiO-WXoxx3UdD-YR5ROkvIGsSiZK42RZ1bosz2uKrJ3TFFsOkJfPYPfmxOMXrPEq~G62Aj8JsJ7C14tDB0~Zk4-uj5SLHsjT3u~2x-Y9BSCkmmO7bUmO1TLHno8vSGJW5ulpU3zEb~aMAWf-U4ZK68kU~Gt2d6CRzQnhInxor1Q~DznQwaTMHLG2NjApkvZFogDxL8Mf3WZWv7T-5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","LivoniaTV","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","Residents from multiple neighborhoods asked the Livonia City Council to delay action and send the Sheetz rezoning request for the 8 Mile and Newburgh corner to a committee of the whole for fuller review.

Speakers raised environmental, traffic and procedural concerns and urged the council to review the matter before any vote scheduled for the council’s Jan. 15 meeting. \"This corner is less than a hundred feet away from the golf course ponds and streams that ultimately feed the Rouge River,\" said Greg Ralco, a CPA and local resident, summarizing neighbors’ environmental and land-use objections.

Several speakers noted the Vision 21 master plan designates the site for parks and recreation and argued the proposed rezoning from C-1 (local business) to C-2 (highway commercial) would be inconsistent with that plan. Willard Lindley, who identified himself as a retired professional community planner and attorney, said the Livonia Planning Commission first deadlocked on the application and then recorded a 3-2 recommendation in a later vote; he questioned whether the commission had authority to re-vote and called the rezoning inconsistent with the master plan.

Homeowners association leaders reported neighborhood opposition and cited petition and survey responses. Nancy Philpott, HOA president for Gulf Ridge Villa, said her neighborhood collected signatures showing \"95 of our residents said no\" to the rezoning; Patty Riggio, president of Willow Woods HOA, described heavy traffic at the intersection, school-bus safety concerns and potential impacts on property values. Neighbor David Hall described direct impacts on his home, saying proposed pump placement and a 24-hour operation would produce continuous light and noise.

Speakers asked the council to create a committee of the whole to examine traffic studies, environmental risk, planning-commission procedure and neighborhood impacts before the council takes a final vote. Councilman Rob Donovic and others clarified that the special meeting at which the appointment was held was not the venue for making a decision on the Sheetz application and that the matter is slated for the regular Jan. 15 meeting where motions, committee referrals, approvals or denials could occur.

Multiple speakers cited precedents in other communities; Ralco referenced a Madison Heights decision that denied a Sheetz application on incompatibility, environmental effect, and failure to demonstrate need. Residents said they had counted 18 gas stations within a 2.5-mile radius of the site and challenged Sheetz’s assertion of unmet demand. Several asked for additional study of traffic patterns, environmental contingency planning for fuel spills, and clarification of the planning commission record.

The council did not take action on the rezoning at this meeting. Council members said residents will have further opportunities to be heard at the Jan. 15 regular meeting and encouraged petitioners to submit materials and attend the committee of the whole or regular session when the item is considered.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Livonia City Council Special Meeting - January 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple Livonia residents and homeowners association leaders urged the council to refer a Sheetz rezoning request for 8 Mile and Newburgh to a committee of the whole and to delay action, citing Vision 21 land-use designations, nearby parks and streams, traffic safety and unclear planning commission recommendations.","taxTitle","Livonia, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",4046,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6362474,"Livonia City Council appoints Linda Shields to fill council vacancy, 4-2",0,3860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2167798-28474a0811ff7196acef8657729759e6&start=3860&end=3860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2167798-28474a0811ff7196acef8657729759e6/thumbnail_3860000.jpg","/articles/6362474/Livonia/Wayne-County/Michigan/Livonia-City-Council-appoints-Linda-Shields-to-fill-council-vacancy-4-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6362474-199241ac2e6e54d07726384d6e69f26a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771130463&Signature=GXWUpPyQAR5rQZh9-8nAFEfvmaxtNLPNUVheaOtoVmqX3V92OcfJMsnjKN1mcjzxQllhmaUoUMsyHKwCZdHu8Jn-JpNYc7MhS5c3w7I6s-LK44kqX6mXE07vDKBL1ZlCznv73NMKZm~IHcekegreP~0RyKSCuvxI2x~qlrXJb-usy9~7~1Jl1PLWvf-is6qLQZgNu32S0WWJNpHOgKiLP22vMaM2cTFzWCPsPS5n7bv7Mi~J-mSApJhIgVlbADz6481SmffDSeqZedeHddXmElGEq9Aq4a3SGdR9lCzdfRXJYg~0Y5b1ERGGO5G6t8JBOjMSSXSbhjp5yQIRDG2~RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Livonia City Council voted 4-2 to appoint Linda Shields to fill the remainder of the term vacated by Jim Jolly.

The appointment was approved after a motion from Councilman Rob Morgan and a second from Councilman Rob Donovic; Councilwoman Carrie Budzinski, Morgan, Donovic and Vice President Tashnick voted yes. Councilwoman Toye and President McCullough voted no.

Council members said they weighed experience and the need for someone who could step into the role quickly. \"She has experience with city budgets and local boards,\" Councilman Donovic said in support, listing Shields’ prior service on the school board, planning commission and as city treasurer. Councilman Morgan said he reviewed applicants’ resumes and backed Shields as \"someone that is trusted and knows what they're doing.\" Vice President Tashnick said the decision was made thoughtfully and encouraged applicants who were not chosen to run in the upcoming election.

Residents who spoke during the public-comment portion offered mixed views. Peter Dale said the outcome felt predetermined; Kate Shaskovsky and other speakers urged the council to appoint a \"fresh face\" instead of a candidate with extensive prior service. Margaret Earl and other residents encouraged unsuccessful applicants to remain engaged in city government.

The council began the special meeting focused on the appointment and followed Robert's Rules for motions and votes. Council members repeatedly described the process as time-consuming; Donovic said he personally spent more than 30 hours reviewing candidates. Several council members framed their decision around the short training period available to a new appointee who will serve only until the next election.

The Council clerk recorded the roll call as six members present for the vote. After the outcome was announced, Council members offered closing remarks thanking applicants and encouraging residents to file for the four council seats open in the November election.

The council adjourned the special portion of the meeting and scheduled a study meeting to begin at 8 p.m.

","The Livonia City Council voted 4-2 to appoint Linda Shields to fill the remainder of the late Jim Jolly’s council seat. Council members said Shields’ municipal experience and budget knowledge were deciding factors; some residents urged the council to choose a newer face.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents urge delay and committee review for Sheetz rezoning at 8 Mile and Newburgh

Livonia City Council appoints Linda Shields to fill council vacancy, 4-2