(Editor’s Note: OMP resident Todd Wilson writes on behalf of the newly-organized group, Friends of Old Mission Peninsula, noting that WOMP’s demands “are not pro-farmer, not pro-local agriculture, and certainly do not make for good neighbors to have next door.” Read on for his thoughts. If you’ve got something to say about the winery lawsuit or anything related to the Old Mission Peninsula, write it up and send it to me, [email protected]. Note that you may only submit opinion pieces once every 30 days. -jb)
Since the founding of Peninsula Township, farming has been the backbone of our local community. As Traverse City continues to become an increasingly popular tourist destination, local farmers have had to embrace the shifting economic landscape. The farmers and the community have a long history of working together with the Township to purchase development rights, improve the venues for farmers to market their products, and promote agri-tourism opportunities.
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However, the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) demand something else entirely. They seek to completely bypass the voters’ wishes and years of jointly-crafted winery and local viticulture allowances. Now WOMP wants multiple commercial districts (11+) that sidestep zoning restrictions favored by most residents. (Read more on the FAQ page at the Friends of Old Mission Peninsula website here.)
We should all read the details of WOMP’s demands: No requirement for using local grapes, outdoor amplified music, unrestricted operations from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., more rental rooms, catered events, restaurants, distilleries and retail … the equivalent of winery Disneyland may be the end result. (Read more about the wineries’ demands at Protect the Peninsula’s website here.)
Also, these new business ventures will unfairly compete with existing commercially-zoned businesses on the Old Mission Peninsula that were established the right way — in dialogue with neighbors and elected officials. These are the restaurants, two grocery stores, a brew pub, a hotel, an event center, a coffee shop, a distillery, art galleries, and several B&Bs already present in the area — our welcome neighbors.
In addition to trying to force their business expansion on our township residents, WOMP wants more than $200 million in damages for claimed lost profits. Unfortunately, if WOMP is successful in their lawsuit, virtually all of that expense will be paid by township residents through special assessments and higher taxes. (Note: You can calculate your potential financial exposure here.)
Moreover, although the wineries convinced a judge to keep the details of their calculation of this number secret, it tells us much about what they expect to do with their planned unrestricted growth. (See above and read more here.)
Without resident input through zoning, the demanded expansions will irreversibly transform the Old Mission Peninsula from a quiet rural residential and agricultural community into a winery-dominated strip mall and event center. All these activities would increase trespass, noise, traffic, inebriated drivers and dangerous roadside parking, as well as make roads less safe for pedestrians and farm equipment, degrade preserved viewsheds, and tax already-stressed local parks and infrastructure.
WOMP also wants less required acreage to establish a winery and no requirement for using local grapes. So, expect many more wineries and far less use of locally grown grapes. These demands are not pro-farmer, not pro-local agriculture, and certainly do not make for good neighbors to have next door.
I believe local zoning under the elected township guidance and citizen input can continue to provide resident-supported changes to help maintain generations of agriculture and tourism that promote farming AND the wineries, without the conversion of the Peninsula into a series of new commercial centers and large event venues.
Rather than forcing an expensive federal lawsuit and consuming our township resources, WOMP should release to the public their financial information and projections, continue the debate locally, and forge a future through dialogue with their neighbors and elected officials.
-Todd Wilson, Friends of Old Mission Peninsula
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“A winery-dominated strip mall and event center”? Todd, perhaps you’re being a little dramatic? OMP is nearly 18,000 square acres. If the 11+ commercial districts are added and we estimate say.. 5 acres for each.. that would be about 55 acres of new commercial buildings and parking lots. Even if you double that and call it 110 acres.. That would be .3% to .6% of the land.
Furthermore, these are hardly the ugly suburban commerical buildings your metaphor conjurs up. The wineries have a vested interest in building beautiful structures and grounds to enhance the visitor experience and upscale the impression of the product they sell. Have you seen Chateau Chental, Mari, Two Lads, Bonobo and Chateau Grand Traverse for example? They are stunning buildings with perfectly manicured grounds that add to the beauty of Old Mission.
I don’t dislike the idea of a winery Disneyland now that you mention it. A growth in tourism revenue leads to huge improvements in tax revenue. That funds improvements in infrastructure, municipal services, schools, library, and…. lower property tax revenue requirements. I’d love to see my property value increase and have my taxes decrease thanks to the winery businesses earning more and paying more into the local tax coffers.
Certainly the growth in tourism would come with more traffic, and that would have to be addressed. Center Road would likely need expansion and updates. That would undoubtably be a pain in the neck. I can also feel for those few people who live within a stone’s throw of wineries and their concern for loud music, but I’m very sure we can agree to noise ordinances that would limit outdoor amplified music past a certain hour. These are valid concerns, but a small price to pay for all the benefits the tourist $$$ would bring to the community.