Sterling Heights city planners serve up second survey, open house

STERLING HEIGHTS — The people who are tasked with updating Sterling Heights’ master land use plan this year are asking residents to share how they spend their cash.

The Sterling Heights Office of Planning announced in May that it has released a second survey after its first one, a community survey, got more than 3,000 responses earlier this spring.

According to City Planner Jake Parcell, the new survey will be out until late June. He described the purpose behind the poll and expressed his hope that at least 3,000 respondents will take it.

“This survey is a market study survey, focusing highly on consumer spending, so that we can use the data to help identify where our community can make recommendations to help our business retention and attraction, and how to help our existing businesses continue to succeed,” Parcell said in an email.

The online survey says it welcomes submissions from city residents as well as “others who have an interest in the future of the city.” Questions cover a variety of topics ranging from shopping, dining and entertainment habits to housing.

The resulting data will be incorporated into a market analysis done by consulting firm The Chesapeake Group in coordination with the consulting firm Giffels Webster.

Parcell added that anyone who successfully submits a survey may enter for a chance to win a raffle with prizes such as Sterling Heights swag bags and VIP parking at the July Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair.

Sterling Heights Community Relations Director Melanie Davis added that the city is already “seeing a steady flow of responses” in regard to the latest survey.

“Residents definitely have an appetite to share their input on this important planning for the future of their community, and we love that,” she said in a text message.

In addition, city planning officials and Planning Commission members are getting ready to host a Master Plan Open House that will further highlight and discuss the master planning process. The event will take place 6-9:30 p.m. June 10 at the Sterling Heights Community Center, 40250 Dodge Park Road, in Sterling Heights.

Organizers say the workshop will be an interactive, collaborative way to discuss the future and talk about what succeeded or didn’t work in earlier versions of the master plan.

“There is no presentation,” Parcell said. “It is intended for workshopping, creating strategies to preserve and support our neighborhoods while also examining redevelopment options in our major corridors through fun activities.”

Parcell said the event promises food and refreshments, and he explained that it will provide activities on-site to grade schoolers who attend with their parents.

“We will have a station for craft activities with the planning interns that will relate to zoning and land use as well in a fun and art-based way!” he said in an email.

Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor commented on the importance of public engagement with the master plan.

“Generally speaking, the master plan is an opportunity to set the priorities of how we want to see the city developed over the next one year, five years, 10 years,” he said.

“We’re doing a lot of outreach to make sure the public is engaged with that process. … It’s really important for us to see that input from the residents and do everything we can to make sure they’re engaged in this process.”

Fill out the market study survey by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/SterHres2024. Find out more about the Sterling Heights master land use plan update process by visiting engage.giffelswebster.com/sterling-heights-master-plan. For more information about the Master Plan Open House, visit sterlingheights.gov and type “Master Plan Open House” in the search bar, or call the city’s Planning Office at (586) 446-2360.