NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
September 10, 2025 candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
New ordinance to allow solar panels in Sterling Heights BY BRIAN WELLS bwells@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — A new ordinance has been introduced that will allow residents in Sterling Heights to install solar panels — with restrictions. At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Sterling Heights City Council unanimously voted to adopt a new ordinance allowing solar panels to be installed on properties in certain zon-
RIGHT: Mark Zapico’s art will be included in this year’s Art Takeover. BOTTOM LEFT: Works like this one by Yazmin Aguilar will be on display. BOTTOM RIGHT: Regina Kaden is one of the artists whose work will be featured Images provided by Michelle Boggess-Nunley
ing districts in the city. The new ordinance, which was presented by City Planner Jake Parcell, will allow for roof-mounted, ground-mounted and building-integrated solar systems, with height and setback restrictions to reduce glare from panels. “It has to be designed and located in order to prevent reflective glare. That’s something the sustainability commission was very involved with,” Parcell said. “That way peo-
ple in the public right-of-way and adjacent property owners aren’t having glare created from solar.” The ordinance was drafted by the Sterling Heights Sustainability Commission in 2024 and in February of this year, they made a recommendation that the City Council adopt it. Before coming before the council, it was reviewed by the Planning Commission in July, which voted unanimously to send it to the council.
The ordinance allows residents to install solar panels in a variety of fashions, including roof-mounted units, which Parcell said most people are familiar with. They would be permitted on principal and accessory buildings such as sheds and garages, he said. Solar panels mounted in this way would not be required to sit flush against the structure but cannot exceed 10 feet above the roof. “So if you think of a commercial or an See SOLAR on page 10A
The Village gets colorful and creative for Art Takeover BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
GROSSE POINTE CITY — The Village is going to be bursting with creativity this month. Art Takeover — a public display of original artworks throughout the business district — will return for its third year, running Sept. 11 to Oct. 4. A record number of 85 artists — with roughly 250 works in 35 businesses and Village spaces — are participating this year. Art Takeover organizer Michelle Boggess-Nunley, an artist and owner of Posterity Art & Framing Gallery, said the works are juried. “We have a lot of new businesses on board,” Boggess-Nunley said. “We have a ton of art. It’s going to be a great show.” An Art Takeover kickoff celebration will take place in The Village from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. It will feature live entertainment by musician Eugene Strobe, Renaissance Festival and circus performer The Amazing Flec,
caricatures by Emad Tammo, live painting by some participating artists and a band not identified yet at press time that will perform in The Village Plaza. About half of this year’s artists are returning from a prior Art Takeover, but Boggess-Nunley said there are also “a lot of new artists this year.” Art Takeover — which Boggess-Nunley conducted in other communities before she acquired Posterity and brought the event to Grosse Pointe City — is intended to not only showcase the diverse talents of Michigan artists, but also to create greater awareness of The Village and its businesses. “Obviously, we like to do events that bring people into our businesses and bring people into our stores, and Art Takeover does that in a unique way,” Main Street Grosse Pointe Executive Director Cindy Willcock said. “Everybody loves art. It’s a way to engage visitors. Not only will they see great art, but maybe they’ll see busiSee ART on page 9A