Special Replanning Meeting Tonight!!

Well, it appears the Sterling Heights government has thrown us a bone. 

The CCF has agreed to reduce the size of their planned apartment building. They have agreed to leave our treasured Sterling Oak, for now. 

The plan is to reduce about half of the trees from being cut down, but still remove several landmark trees and to destroy the wetlands through a cut and fill operation. 

The building itself will be less than 1 acre, but due to the fact that it's on a floodplain, much much more will have to be absolutely destroyed. 

The plan is then to encircle the Sterling Oak with gravel (why???) and a wall. 

I do wonder if they are playing the long game and plan on the tree dying after being smothered with gravel this close to a construction site.

The land, that was purchased with covid relief funds, was sold at a deep deep discount to the CCF and is now being used in this way. The CCF does not own the land yet, and this deal is not final.

If you are able to make it tonight to the special meeting it starts at 7:00 at City Hall. Please also write the city council members as well as the planning commission, every voice counts and email is quick! They clearly know the tree is important to the community. This is our chance to show them we care about our rapidly disappearing green space! 

See this link HERE for the full document. I found the first couple of pages to be very informative as the whole thing is pretty long. 

I want to be clear. Housing for people is very necessary and good, but not at the expensive of public trust and clearing acres of wonderful habitat. There are other options. We all want happiness for our families and a successful future. I know we can work together in honesty and trust to reach a common agreement. 

Here is the link to tonight's meeting agenda if you would like to share or post in your own browser. https://sterlingheights.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2048?fileID=32094