[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6259826,"mediaKeyId","3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900","parentId",3137193,"title","Sterling Heights council delegates final approval of new master land use plan amid public objections","audioSeconds",1547,"startMs",2101000,"endMs",3648000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900&start=2101&end=3648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900/thumbnail_2101000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259826/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/Sterling-Heights-council-delegates-final-approval-of-new-master-land-use-plan-amid-public-objections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259826-9e7469c15db6d83e92dc1c3f9a475d2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140882&Signature=kcn9K17cUt6pmxN2p~dHsrxhO-3FBYaM4A0cD42-Yx~r4sayPa~uWCj1y23AvtNWDgzn1~zkQVvwH3~dz1Upj6cdVdKIXtI20kGGnCCHMGBvwAVJ4qyigkGSvP4YzGcVGnz7BMKM6QQ7yZEWTW-mp23zfkHaxSxOq0ROl1FN4u~TIBVsPl1JbtV3gG99KyFyvYx3DKn6DWY5HlEyx6Ntj0I6T8pF9zMh9cxcaz~Ntn~nqoB5p0TFZuR~e6Y-DFm7iu940d621Etfi8cHLTM2Bhy24nMhWzZQt52dPjal0lDqQJGkj-qDvl2qvhvfb9mqG2~chqUCgXa-lDEHmZnrPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","SHTV1","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","Sterling Heights City Council voted 6-1 to waive its statutory right to be the final approver of the city\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000master land use plan and delegated final approval authority to the Sterling Heights Planning Commission.

The vote came after a presentation from City Planner Dr. Jake Purcell on a yearlong rewrite of the master land use plan that staff said produced roughly 5,000 public comments and outreach to about 30,000 addresses. City staff told council the rewrite updated the 2017 plan to reflect new strategies, the climate action and sustainability plans, and recent subarea planning for North Van Dyke Avenue.

The master plan matters because it guides zoning decisions, development priorities and long-term infrastructure and open-space strategies across the city. Council members and several public speakers tied their remarks to one parcel along North Van Dyke that has generated interest from the Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) and to a separate parcel near Hall Road and Starett Street that residents and property owners disputed.

Dr. Purcell summarized the public-engagement process and identified two parcels that drew the most written comment; he told council the Planning Commission would hold a public hearing on the draft plan as required by state law. \"We had a very, very open process that we're very proud of,\" Purcell said. The draft plan also flags several nodes and includes a cleanup of mismatched parcel boundaries before the public hearing.

Speakers representing property interests urged council to adopt the version of the future land use map that was published for the 63-day statutory public comment period. Jim Epping, representing Nottingham Commercial LLC, said developers and property owners rely on the published future land use map and that changes after the public-comment period are substantive. \"With any public process, when it goes to public comment, our assumption is, and I think the public's assumption is that's a locked document,\" Epping said.

Nottingham Commercial\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000representative Richard Sable asked council to retain the final decision rather than delegate it to the Planning Commission. Other public commenters pressed different concerns: resident Emily Young urged protection for a landmark oak and nearby wetlands, and Lisa Graff said a widely repeated statement that \"8 acres will be preserved as open space\" was inaccurate in her view and that more of the site would be disturbed if the proposed plan moved forward. \"That is actually not true,\" Graff said during public comment.

Council discussion covered the statutory process (the city noted it may reserve final approval under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act) and whether the public should be re-noticed if staff or commissioners make substantive map changes after the formal comment period. Councilmember Radke, who asked to vest the Planning Commission with final authority, said the commission had conducted extensive supplemental meetings and that delegating final approval would be appropriate. Councilmember Arco spoke for retaining council review.

When council voted, the motion to delegate final approval authority to the Planning Commission carried 6-1. The council recorded the outcome as a carried motion (yes 6, no 1). The Planning Commission's public hearing has already been noticed; staff said administrative edits noted in the presentation will be incorporated for that hearing and no additional substantive changes to policies or priorities were expected from staff at this stage.

The public record on the draft plan includes letters from residents near Hall and Starett opposing a proposed reclassification, a late submission from a property owner seeking regional commercial designation at another intersection, and support letters from other community members. Dr. Purcell said state- and county-level planning offices had reviewed the draft; the Oakland County planner reported the draft was consistent with the county's 2017 plan.

Next steps: the Planning Commission will conduct its noticed public hearing on the draft master land use plan and then act under the delegated authority. Council members and property owners who requested changes said they would continue to press for clarifications during that hearing.

Votes at a glance: The council voted 6-1 to waive its right under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (as referenced in meeting materials) and delegate final approval of the master land use plan to the Sterling Heights Planning Commission. No individual roll-call breakdown by name was recorded in the public transcript; council reported the tally as yes 6, no 1.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4-15-25 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Sterling Heights City Council voted 6-1 to waive its right to final approval of the new master land use plan and delegated final adoption authority to the Sterling Heights Planning Commission.","taxTitle","Sterling Heights, Macomb County, Michigan","taxId",5477,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259807,"After fatal crash, Sterling Heights taps Safe Streets Task Force to review 15 Mile and Shaner intersection",130,6016000,6146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900&start=6016&end=6146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900/thumbnail_6016000.jpg","/articles/6259807/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/After-fatal-crash-Sterling-Heights-taps-Safe-Streets-Task-Force-to-review-15-Mile-and-Shaner-intersection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259807-5ec75dde4e8b5e8d79a1cf49d8057121/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140882&Signature=Aaka6SVwi9RRAL1NBnPCOtwi-jxxszdlcP9BR4PTPWVxlHmST6FFJ5btAiOOtLAAX0WPonBBA84EO~hgShJKZSwuwI-7gE33yhPM8u3eOicKKcAwDgls7gMnqUCrJ5W8Nx6f0qTKqROxhD94iocv9V06GF9wrtVnI-M~o02Tg7JARzlnhJtNfKLcvHyaCbtBIb9ortkKls-81lhfJdM~AIZszTYzROz9jTxjYT6IxMuMzvuuCCCEfMDcVUnbfHMmFhtehNKo2~VbSyMz0f4x4ag-hzqihQX9bLcHtcg6wQGRtldI~lOsyIIm2sJ4427n4caE5OJRf8lBdBmESl5I9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A recent fatal crash near 15 Mile Road and Shaner Road prompted council discussion and a direction to the city's traffic-calming task force to review high-accident intersections, including that site.

Councilmembers described a recent collision in which investigators estimated a vehicle was traveling at a very high rate of speed before rear-ending a stopped car at a red light; the crash resulted in at least one fatality. City Manager Mark Vanderpool told council the incident involved an estimated speed near 100 mph and that toxicology and investigation remain ongoing.

Vanderpool said the Safe Streets/traffic-calming task force is reviewing the city's highest-accident intersections and noted the city has deployed a range of countermeasures across neighborhoods and corridors, including medians, chicanes and turn lanes installed by the county. \"We're really interested in making our roadways as safe as they possibly can be,\" Vanderpool said, adding that 15 Mile & Shaner is in the city's top-20 list of problematic intersections though not the top 10.

Councilmembers and residents proposed potential responses discussed at the meeting: timing and coordination of signals, additional traffic signals for long straightaways, pavement markings or advance-warning flashers that indicate an upcoming signal will change, and stepped-up enforcement in problem corridors. Several councilmembers asked staff to pursue engineering reviews with the county (which controls some signalized corridors) and to brief council on options.

Council members noted that changes such as traffic-signal timing or additional warnings can reduce the incidence of rear-end and high-speed collisions, while acknowledging that some crashes result from extraordinary driver behavior or medical emergencies that engineering measures cannot prevent. The city also noted prior safety investments such as right-turn lanes installed by the county at the intersection.

Staff said the Safe Streets review will include an analysis of collision history, potential engineering changes and recommended enforcement or signaling adjustments. Council asked staff to provide the relevant traffic-analysis pages to all members for follow-up and requested periodic updates on recommended actions.","Council members and residents pressed for actions after a recent fatal rear-end crash at 15 Mile and Shaner; city staff said the Safe Streets/traffic-calming task force will examine the intersection and other high-accident locations and pursue engineering and enforcement options.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259812,"Sterling Heights offers dog-license amnesty through June 30; fees waived for late renewals",136,231000,367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900&start=231&end=367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6259812/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/Sterling-Heights-offers-dog-license-amnesty-through-June-30-fees-waived-for-late-renewals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259812-272fbe281f266778163062dfaeeaf29f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140882&Signature=fO5SsQd~HqTwuIYHyPIX-ImO0jYyVh7HERXbpsG9robuj4PsarNu9uWZhx1A0QgbyFsC4LD~XIEtAAZ-lzu4-qiPYPb2IoE9Qlf6eZ3AJ2r9MMz0af8Inak3K0th8HTNd8r2K5JgLxY6S8Y7Z72aGqv2RTptYa57JbsoqhlIzCYGUUSVH8Nq8dTG2WpU0fIUdDY6xFjujdNZQr9nunRQMItM2FkRnJbgXNfEdqOzuG13x~zbmIJfBqZ9SDffl6TPD72xnRM7MLUv-Mf5O56QVx6~p6xNi7scPaPhHZO212NF0aZmSeRaFoSTha1bPjas7z20SD~yrOUBwZlhTJs02A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sterling Heights City Clerk's Office announced a dog-license amnesty running through June 30 that allows residents to apply for or renew dog licenses without paying late fees.

Deputy City Clerk Chelsea May said the program waives the usual $12 late fee for dog licenses missed after the March 31 deadline and reminded residents Michigan law requires dogs older than 6 months to be licensed. \"Running now through June 30, residents can apply or renew their dog's license without facing late fees or penalties,\" May said.

May also noted licenses help return lost pets and verify required vaccinations; licensed dogs also gain access to the city's off-leash dog park at Joseph Delia Park. The city offers free licenses for senior citizens and service-dog owners. License applications can be submitted online via PetData, by mail, fax or in hard copy to the clerk's office; staff will assist residents who lack internet access.

May said tags are no longer issued at the counter but the clerk's office will assist applicants with paperwork and that detailed instructions are on the city website. The amnesty is intended to encourage responsible pet ownership and improve public safety by ensuring dogs are vaccinated and identifiable.","The city announced a limited-time dog-license amnesty allowing residents to apply or renew licenses through June 30 without late fees; licenses required by state law and provide access to city dog park.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259816,"Council directs city attorney to draft responsible-contractor ordinance; timeline set for August review",1612,4664000,6276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900&start=4664&end=6276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900/thumbnail_4664000.jpg","/articles/6259816/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/Council-directs-city-attorney-to-draft-responsible-contractor-ordinance-timeline-set-for-August-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259816-629b3f4582fde378ad61412966612744/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140882&Signature=I-PqGioR5cNK0pge4dK2LvLWMNxRoq6SWngTCVrQq9MklVKUfgUhFqDCJ2S4kDHbU1cWKoU338FMd9BCZ1ajjFDA5KuWI0btpr5jA7FXu3GbdmU8oO9SGh2Kwm1xtlqMZn8fvQ-BLgQAWTNJSfnFELxN4zEBZ7ktv8zW4-79DM~~N8UhpGD6TSQ7Sdg7T4PymzbrzqrWMJNfU4nL4rJJvbDK7PQXIQd9EccMPwIriiOT0pFlsnfIgLJ5KfJG1H9FhWoar3uVdnDkAVblxvNWAs91Lu9ZSwbsWlpZ1UWigz9EjA2g6ibl89RLW3huB7SFa-L7HWchY15njL2zqwZ4oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmember Yanez proposed a responsible contracting ordinance intended to raise standards on publicly funded construction projects by encouraging skilled trades, worker safety and apprenticeship opportunities. He described the measure as a 50/50 bidding approach that would not bar nonunion firms but would set parameters for quality and training.

\"A responsible contracting ordinance levels the playing field for all contractors when bidding,\" Yanez said, framing the proposal as a way to ensure quality work, worker safety and talent development on city projects. He said apprentices can train while earning pay and cited union apprenticeship outcomes as an example of career pathways for local workers.

Several councilmembers expressed support for studying the idea but cautioned that the city attorney and staff would need time to review sample ordinances and craft language useful for Sterling Heights. City legal staff recommended a multi-step process of researching ordinances used elsewhere, vetting drafts with staff, and allowing council review. The city attorney told council the drafting and vetting process would likely take longer than the originally proposed two-week schedule; he advised two to three months to produce a vetted draft.

Councilmember Radke and others said they favored the concept but wanted a careful, Sterling Heights-specific ordinance rather than adopting another city's language wholesale. Concerns raised in the meeting included potential higher costs for city projects, whether the ordinance would limit the city's existing procurement flexibility, and how a mandate might affect contractors hired by a construction manager.

Council direction: the city attorney was asked to prepare and return a draft ordinance for council consideration in early August (first meeting in August), giving staff about 60\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000to 90 days to research, draft and vet the proposal.

No formal ordinance language was presented or adopted at the meeting; the council only directed staff to prepare a draft for future discussion.","Councilmember Yanez asked the city attorney to prepare a responsible contracting ordinance to set minimum standards for city-funded construction work; councilmembers endorsed study and asked for a local-tailored draft to return to council in August.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6259821,"Sterling Heights Police roll out voluntary special-needs registry and will host regional CERT games May 3",1477,409000,1886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900&start=409&end=1886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3137193-7dc7094a40dd47d978ff0595c5fba900/thumbnail_409000.jpg","/articles/6259821/Sterling-Heights/Macomb-County/Michigan/Sterling-Heights-Police-roll-out-voluntary-special-needs-registry-and-will-host-regional-CERT-games-May-3","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259821-044dfdf71b64bc1c6201d9bb2c6148f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140882&Signature=IG2cAMQR9ImJX2qhzHVoJgsov99rTfNcld9oFgw62mihu-CcBbAHrPKyEFzq7g3ZdMZTlowyII2QZXDWWiIxweEpIRxnJjokso8-8G18riMh6xMa063GuneJ3Oidd2LAyStO7sjctCCju979DjdlBwFQ2mdiYzp41lSiRpNYVB6wHx~UEwMQFXZzusEm4BAXX33RHDHKns52qcI2liVanSUtt0j2D7rrVTzR7-4tJxe1MeRgmB07wF7v~AiszU2mEJuMR6Is2zz0dOJiGHQrZ7HhVEdebdemY~B-n6YnyfSNEcPMB4GoMH94XaGUVpm9IpbMjSkqMRG8OW0u1JUXdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sterling Heights Police Department introduced a voluntary special-needs registry and announced it will host regional CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) games on May 3 at Lakeside Mall.

Interim Police Chief Ken Pappas said the two initiatives build on the department's mental-health strategic plan and broader training efforts. \"Each of these initiatives will reflect our commitment to the city and our preparedness, compassion and collaboration,\" Pappas said.

Lieutenant Cole described the special-needs registry as an online, voluntary tool for residents or caregivers to register people with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities so dispatch and first responders can access critical information during an emergency. \"This is a voluntary program designed to improve how officers engage with and support individuals with physical, developmental and emotional disabilities,\" Cole said. The registry will allow uploads of photos, medical conditions, communication preferences and emergency contacts; staff explained approved entries are transmitted to the dispatch system (Comtech) for use by police and fire.

Cole said legal review and consent check boxes are required before information is shared and that the registry allows the department to push photos and identifying details to responders. She also said the department plans to work with the county and the Michigan State Police vulnerable-person program (VIP) over time and is coordinating outreach with ARC, a Macomb County nonprofit that already works with many families.

Council members asked whether the registry would be shared with the fire department, how HIPAA and privacy issues were handled, whether other jurisdictions already maintain similar lists and when it would go live. Cole said the data will be shared with fire and dispatch and that the system includes disclaimers and consent check boxes; she said Clinton Township Police Department has implemented a similar registry and that Sterling Heights\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000would go live \"tomorrow\" after final internal checks.

Deputy Chief Allen described the CERT games as a multi-jurisdictional, timed training competition intended to sharpen teamwork among volunteer CERT members and first responders. \"Teams will participate in 4 main events: search and rescue, victim identification and wound assessment, stop the bleed and fire extinguishment,\" Allen said. He said 10 teams from the region had indicated they would participate and that DTE would provide power-line safety training during rotations.

Event organizers said the Sterling Heights CERT team was formed in 2004, currently has about 41 active members and is one of the largest in the state and 1 of only 2 in Macomb County. The event will be timed and assessed and aims to improve multi-jurisdictional coordination during disasters; organizers expect roughly 200 attendees.

The department asked citizen volunteers and training programs (drama classes, EMT students and explorers) to help serve as victims for triage exercises. Media relations will be invited to document the training and organizers said observers may be allowed to watch portions of the exercises.

Clarifying details provided by staff included the registry's capabilities (photo upload, triggers/communication notes, dispatch integration), the planned link to Comtech and the department\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000CIT training status (about 15 officers completed county CIT training).

Organizers said there is no cost to residents to enroll and emphasized the programs are intended to improve safety and response times for vulnerable residents.","Police unveiled a voluntary special-needs registry to help first responders and announced a multi-jurisdictional Community Emergency Response Team training event at Lakeside Mall on May 3 involving roughly 10 teams and about 200 participants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sterling Heights council delegates final approval of new master land use plan amid public objections

After fatal crash, Sterling Heights taps Safe Streets Task Force to review 15 Mile and Shaner intersection

Sterling Heights offers dog-license amnesty through June 30; fees waived for late renewals

Council directs city attorney to draft responsible-contractor ordinance; timeline set for August review

Sterling Heights Police roll out voluntary special-needs registry and will host regional CERT games May 3