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JANUARY 24, 2024 Vol. 35, No. 2
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Mixed-use development near Baumgartner Park rejected BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
Frustrations over a recent split vote that rejected a planned unit development proposal spilled over to a Jan. 3 Sterling Heights City Council meeting. During the Jan. 3 meeting, Council-
PROPOSAL WOULD HAVE BUILT LUXURY APARTMENTS, BUSINESSES man Henry Yanez said he was uncomfortable at the prior meeting and connected that to people not being on the same page regarding the city’s planned unit development, or PUD, ordinance.
He referred to what happened at a Dec. 19, 2023, meeting that discussed a PUD proposal for commercial and residential development in the 15 Mile and Schoenherr roads area. The land in question is about
21.4 acres in total gross acreage, containing a 15.1-acre development envelope. “I think we really need to take a deep dive back into the PUD and review what we’re doing or what we’re trying to do with that law and try to do things better,” he said. “It was very unfortunate what happened at See DEVELOPMENT on page 15A
City clerk begins ‘Let’s Vote’ info campaign STATEWIDE CHANGES TO ELECTION PROCEDURES SUMMARIZED BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
With the presidential primary races around the corner and more elections to come later this year, the Sterling Heights City Clerk’s Office is wasting no time in informing residents of their options for how to cast their ballots. During a Jan. 16 City Council meeting, City Clerk Melanie Ryska gave a brief presentation on the different ways that residents can vote. She also shared some updates on changes to election laws that happened after voters passed Michigan Proposal 2 in November 2022. “This was the constitutional amendments to your voting rights, and it was advertised as ‘promote the vote,’” Ryska said. “And you can see it overwhelmingly got approved, by, like, 60 to 40 (percent).” Ryska announced a citywide “Let’s Vote!” education campaign that will employ mail, social media, the city magazine, a video series and events to inform residents. For instance, the city’s mailer will brief residents on early voting, voting by mail, election day voting and upcoming election dates. In addition, Ryska’s
Sterling Heights Clerk Melanie Ryska holds a Jan. 18 educational event at the Sterling Heights Community Center on how voting for the next presidential election will work in the city. Ryska also outlined the different ways the information will be imparted to residents. Ryska speaks during the educational campaign event, known as “Let’s Vote!” Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
See VOTE on page 18A
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