Category: Updates
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It seems like an odd question. Most of us share a common understanding: to keep something in its current state or protect it from harm. If you’ve been following recent posts here or city communications, you may know the Riverland Park parcel on North Van Dyke is coming back before the Sterling Heights City Council,…
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On September 14, the Sterling Heights Board of Ordinance Appeals unanimously denied a request to reduce the protected Critical Root Zone around the historic Sterling Oak at 43934 Van Dyke. The official meeting minutes may take time to be released, and they will be linked here when available. In the meantime, residents can watch the…
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On August 12, 2026, the Chaldean Community Foundation and Sterling Heights Planning Department presented a revised development proposal. It covers the Riverland Park property on North Van Dyke Avenue. The Planning Commission subsequently approved the revised proposal. The City has posted the August 12 meeting materials. This revised plan designates the landmark chinquapin oak, Tree…
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The Sterling Oak is still standing.Still rooted.Still waiting. And it is not waiting alone. Surrounding it are other landmark trees — quieter, less well known, but no less a part of the landscape — all tied to the same uncertain fate. Years after their future first came into question, nothing has been fully decided —…
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As previously posted, there will be a City Council-requested update on the development status of the CCF2 property on North Van Dyke. It appears on the Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Council Meeting Agenda under the City Manager’s Report Item D. City Council Meetings are held at the Sterling Heights City Hall council chambers, 40555 Utica…
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At the November 5, 2025, Sterling Heights City Council meeting, during the concluding comments open to council, the newly re-elected Mayor Pro Tem Liz Sierawaski reflected on the election outcome. First, by highlighting the decades of work and distinguished contributions of long-time Councilwoman Deanna Koski (and notably a consistent and strong advocate for nature preservation!),…
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After 8 months, Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor finally responded to the Sterling Oak petition. Because the last post was a bit long on the topic of excessive baloney, let’s just keep this one short and sweet. We will simply compare the Mayor’s opinion with the reality of this development. The Destruction Reality Because facts…
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The story of the Sterling Oak attracted the attention of a local TV reporter for WXYZ Channel 7 with comments from residents. Watch the piece below: The website story appears here: Sterling Heights Residents Hope To Save 250 Year-Old Tree From Being Cut Down (archive) Sterling Heights repeats 8-acre preservation falsehood It is one thing…
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As our cherished oak gathers energy from the longer days of sunshine to prepare for spring buds, our timeline has been updated with some events from the past few weeks. They highlight the continuing long, curvy road in our efforts to preserve it, even as obstacles are thrown our way. These events have been added…