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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with news about additional police coverage, agricultural signage, the Kelley Park Boat Launch and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates that keep us tuned into what’s happening at the Township offices. Read on for this week’s note. -jb)
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March 21, 2025
Happy Spring Break to all of our younger residents, families and educators! Enjoy your week and come back refreshed and ready to finish out the school year!
The Township has sent a request to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office to schedule additional evening and weekend road patrol commencing in April. This will be in conjunction with our current CPO (community police officer) schedule. The recent (non-fatal by a true miracle) crash into a barn on Bluff Road is a very hot topic. Our request has been taken seriously, and additional resources from the Sheriff’s Department are inbound.
(Read more about the meeting with the Sheriff’s Department here. Below is a photo of the historic barn just north of The Bluffs on Bluff Road; a speeding northbound car failed to navigate the curve and, narrowly missing the trees, smashed into the barn. -jb)
The Agricultural Advisory Committee met this week. They will be presenting to the Planning Commission their recommendations for changes to the sign ordinance for Agricultural Signage. They had a robust discussion (view the meeting video here for 30 days) around Right To Farm, the previous Amendment #139 (pg. 17), and the current Amendment #201 (pg. 34).
Updates from Down the Hall
Zoning: The job postings for a full-time zoning administrator are posted on both the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) site, as well as the Michigan Townships Association site. This posting closes on March 26. We have received six applicants so far. The Township is also seeking resumes for an additional Ordinance Enforcement Officer (scroll down to Employment Opportunity). This will be a part-time local hire.
Mission Point Lighthouse: The Lighthouse opens for the season on May 1, 2025. The Keeper Program is up and running. We are looking forward to an amazing season!!
Looking Ahead to Next Week
The Town Board will be meeting on March 26 at 10 a.m. in the Township Conference Room to adopt and approve all FY 25/26 budgets, to potentially adopt the schedule of civil fines for unlawful operation of short-term rentals, and to correct the motion for PDR Ordinance No. 23, Amendment #4. View the agenda here and the meeting packet here.
On the Horizon
Regarding the East Bay Boat Launch, the Township has not received any applications from the DNR for any changes along East Shore Road by the Grand Traverse County Road Commission, or for a Special Use Permit by Peninsula Township. The Township is engaged and tracking.
The Township is in-progress on the applications necessary for the development of the Kelley Park Boat Launch. This week we met with our project designer/manager from Beckett & Raeder Inc. and representatives from the DNR. Up next will be the coordination with Consumers Power on the electric easement at the site.
***Shoreline Regulation Education Session*** This session is scheduled for April 24, 2025, 7 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Township will host members from the Army Corps of Engineers; Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE); the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Center; and Dr. Richard Norton, Ph.D, J.D, from University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Have a great weekend, Everyone!
Maura Sanders
Peninsula Township Supervisor
Phone: (231) 223-7323
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Mondays 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesdays – Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Friday – Sunday and Holidays. If TCAPS is closed due to weather, Peninsula Township offices are closed at least until 10 a.m. Please check the website homepage for any updates.
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Was the Bluff Road barn accident a northbound or southbound vehicle as it states both in the article? Also, are there any other details about the crash – driver, substances used, was the driver ticketed, etc.? Thanks!