Hooters wanted to locate along Plymouth Road. Kirksey says the basis for his veto, which he's only used two other times in his six years leading the council, was that the restaurant would damage the image of the community and undermine 50 years of effort to establish Livonia as a great place to live and work.

"Hooters and Plymouth Road are not compatible by any standard," Kirksey says. "We must hold to our long-time motto that residents come first in Livonia and our more recent motto that families are still first in the city."

He adds the restaurant is not the level of establishment that he would like to see come in to the city.

"Hooters enjoys and thrives on its 'tacky' image while we strive for quality and excellence," Kirksey says.

Kirksey has vetoed a 20-screen movie theater on Haggerty Road and a zoning ordinance regulation, but those were later overturned by council. During the first week of May, the council approved the restaurant, to be attached to a Quality Inn. To overturn the veto would take five votes from the seven council members.

The mayor lists seven reasons for his veto:

* That Hooters does not meet the provision of the zoning ordinance that theuse be compatible to and in harmony with the surrounding area.

* The petitioner failed to show that the proposed use is in compliance with the provisions.

* The location is similar to the Troy facility, where part of the parking lot abuts residential zoning, and has become a nuisance for Troy residents.

* Hooters does not cater to families, which would be compatible with the nearby residential neighborhoods.

* There are enough of those types of restaurants in the city.

* There is no demonstrated need for more of the restaurants.

* The planning commission unanimously rejected this proposal and that recommendation deserves to be upheld.

Instant Insights /

'Tacky' Hooters Vetoed in Detroit Suburb

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