Sterling Heights City Council voted to adopt a 12-month moratorium on the establishment, erection, construction or installation of billboards on Dec. 3, directing planning staff and the city attorney to study standards and return with recommendations.

Dr. Jake Parcel, the city planner, told the council that billboards (off-premise signs) are currently not permitted under the zoning code and that the moratorium would give staff time to research best practices, consider limited allowances and draft standards that the zoning board of appeals could apply in variance cases. "We believe this will protect us should we have variance requests instead of putting together multiple variance cases with no standards to fall back on," Parcel said.

Councilmember Radke moved adoption of the moratorium; Councilmember Zarko successfully moved to amend the length to 12 months to give staff more time. Supporters said the pause will allow careful study of digital messaging frequency, sign materials, height, placement and driver safety concerns. Opponents were not recorded; the motion passed by voice vote after the amendment.

At the end of the study the council may choose to keep the existing ban, adopt standards allowing limited signs in specific areas, or pursue other options. The moratorium aims to ensure consistent rules and reduce risk of misnoticed or piecemeal variance approvals while the planning commission and city attorney develop draft language.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 2137, topfinish SEG 2392.

Speakers quoted: Dr. Jake Parcel (City Planner), Mister Radke (Councilmember). Ending: Staff will return with findings and draft ordinance language within the moratorium period; council may extend or repeal the moratorium based on those recommendations.