City of Sterling Heights

The meeting covered several committee reports and new business items. Key discussion points included the Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle Committee exploring a tiered award system for restaurants to encourage greener practices, and the potential use of a $9,000 fund for food scraps if the budget is approved. The Electrification, Efficiency, and Weatherization committee discussed DTE's proposed tariff for DC fast charging stations and the projected 8.5-year Return on Investment (ROI) for solar panel installations on City Hall, the Library, and the Police Department. The Trees committee reviewed ideas for Earth Day events, including potential collaboration with the Library for a sustainability book club and plans for required tree planting by developers along rights-of-way. Old Business included reviewing feedback on the Sustainability Plan Update and postponing the SCOAR Top 15 Action Items Update. New Business focused on postponing subcommittee mission statements and approving the 2025 Sustainability Commission Annual Report, which City Council requested include more recommendations for them in the future.

The agenda for the February 11, 2026 meeting included considerations for two key applications. The first is PPCM-1364, Sam's Restaurant, requesting special approval land use to operate a restaurant in a C-1 Local Convenience Business District, with the Office of Planning recommending approval subject to numerous conditions, including relocation of the dumpster and adherence to specific operating hours. The second item, PPUD26-0001, Steak and Sushi Restaurant, was subject to a postponement request from the Office of Planning until the March 11, 2026 meeting due to necessary state licensing review. The agenda also listed an update on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and scheduled time for Citizen Participation.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting agenda includes several public hearings involving requests for non-use variances. These requests concern residential property modifications, specifically a request for a residential addition impacting the rear yard setback (Gurjack Family), a request regarding an unenclosed terraced patio projection into the rear yard (Residential Backyard Patio), a request for garage/accessory building separation from the principal building, and requests related to signage criteria for the 'Forum at Gateways' project. The agenda also includes correspondence, old business, new business, including an Annual Report, and a segment for public participation.

The agenda for the meeting included the approval of the agenda and minutes from the January 15, 2026 meeting. Key discussions centered on Old Business, specifically the approval for service retirements for Timothy Lindquist, Gordon Felczak, and two methods for Everett Chamberlain's service retirement. New Business involved retiree status changes due to three deaths (Marian DiMarco, Marie Vogler, Joan LaDuke), processing a disability application for Jocelyn Scoggins, a Quarterly Investment Review by Morgan Stanley, and comments from the Pension Administrator, which included a review and approval of the proposed revision to Policy Resolution 96-04 concerning service credit calculation. Trustee comments covered attendance at the MAPERS 2026 Spring Conference.

The key discussions during this meeting included the postponement of the Dodge Park Condominiums request (PPCM-1363) to an unknown date due to site plan layout issues. The commission approved with modifications a nuisance mitigation plan for a First Watch outdoor patio (PSP25-0034), establishing conditions related to noise, signage, and operating hours. A request for an amendment to the Project Development Plan for the Forum at Gateways Shopping Center (PSP25-0033) was approved, allowing for the expansion of Walmart and the addition of a gas station, including 16 EV charging stalls. The request for a nuisance mitigation plan for Sterling Bistro was withdrawn. The commission also adopted the Planning Commission Annual Report and conducted the annual election of officers, appointing Mr. Inks as Chairperson.