If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved with township government, this is a great way to do it. Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest and/or resumes for people to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
Applicants must be qualified electors of the township. The board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Township Hall, although recent meetings have been held virtually via Zoom. Additional meetings may also be required.
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One incoming member would replace Rachel McBride, who is resigning, for the remainder of her three-year term ending August 2021. The other would be a ZBA alternate whose term ends in August 2023. Alternates step in when members are not available or if conflicts of interest exist.
The ZBA is a five-member board which hears appeals from township residents for variances from or interpretation of the Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance, often involving setbacks of one form or another. To give you an idea of the types of appeals heard at ZBA, here are some recent ones:
- Resident requested a variance from the required 60-foot setback from the ordinary high waterline to 54 feet in order to construct a 750 square foot addition to an existing non-conforming structure.
- Resident requested a variance from the required 15-foot side yard setback to 10 feet on the northerly property line in order to place a 160 square foot shed.
- Resident requested a variance from the required 30-foot setback from the front yard setback to five feet from the front yard setback in order to construct a 30′ x 30′ detached garage.
Check out more ZBA meeting agendas, packets and minutes on the Township website here.
Current ZBA members include Bernie Soutar (chair), Ashley Wahl, John Dolton, Al Couture, and alternates Laura Serocki and Barb Rowlett.
If you’re interested, submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Township Clerk Becky Chown, [email protected], or by mail to 13235 Center Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686, by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
If you have other questions about serving on the ZBA, contact Zoning Administrator Christina Deeren, [email protected], or call (231) 223-7318.
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