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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates about Fire Station #1, three points of focus from the Ag Advisory Committee, paving at Bowers Harbor Park and lots 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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April 18, 2025
I’d like to thank Jane Boursaw for taking my scattered bullet points last week and getting the word out on the happenings around the township! I was able to sneak away for a long weekend to Madison, WI, to watch my youngest daughter compete with her club basketball team at the national championship tournament at UW. Cute town, happy to be back!
Fire Station #1 Update
This week the Town Board held a special meeting to review the three proposals received for the pre-construction consulting services for the potential new Fire Station #1. The board voted unanimously to award the contract to Cunningham-Limp (CL) for $1.
Two members of the CL leadership team attended the meeting; Doug Luciani, VP Strategy & Community Impact (former Chamber of Commerce/Traverse Connect CEO), and Bobby Peplinski, CL’s Chief Financial Officer (see photo above). Both gentlemen are Peninsula Township residents, along with the CL CEO Don Kegley.
We have two sites picked out for the relocation of Fire Station #1. Site 1 is on Township property on the north side of the township offices. Site 2, the more favorable site and privately owned, is on Center Road across from the Peninsula Market. Shortly after this meeting, I reached out to the property owner of the more favorable site to initiate that discussion. I will keep everyone updated with the hopeful progress of Fire Station 1.
Agricultural Advisory Committee
The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) met this week. The committee selected three agricultural operators — Bern Kroupa, Garrett Coggon and Molly Stretten — to recommend to the Town Board to fill one vacancy on the committee.
The AAC also narrowed in on three areas of focus. These will be worked on at the sub-committee level with help from our planner and members of the planning commission.
- Reduce or eliminate acreage minimums for farm-based processing.
- Adjust setback requirements to provide flexibility for small farms.
- Allow on-farm processing and sales as a use-by-right rather than requiring a special use permit.
Although these are the three immediate discussions, the agritourism discussion is also a hot topic and will be looked at via a combined effort of members of the Town Board, Planning Commission, Ag Advisory Committee, and potentially Parks Committee.
We will also seek out external support; I’ve already sent a note to Networks Northwest to help push for an update on the 2007 Agricultural Tourism Local Zoning Guidebook and Model Zoning Ordinance Provisions.
New PDR Selection Round Opens
The Township has announced the opening of another application round of its Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program for owners of agricultural land within the Agricultural Preservation Area. Landowners may apply for the option to sell a conservation easement on their land to the township. Land in the program is permanently preserved for agricultural uses and cannot be developed for residential use, except as agreed to and as specifically limited by the easement.
The PDR program is voluntary, and payment amounts are based on appraised value of the specific develop rights. Applications in the current round are due by 5 p.m. on April 21.
Note that there are two applications on the PDR section of the Township website. New properties seeking to apply should choose the “Purchase of Development Rights Application.” For properties already under easement that are interested in relinquishing any previously retained rights, choose the “Purchase of Retained Development Rights Application.” For more information, contact Township Planner Elise Loud, [email protected].
Community Survey
Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest to serve on the Community Survey Advisory Sub-Committee. This is a five-person sub-committee led by Trustee Julie Alexander. The sub-committee will meet regularly to draft questions and plan for the community survey later this spring.
Note: Applicants must be qualified electors of the township. For more info, contact Township Supervisor Maura Sanders, [email protected], (231) 223-7323. Please submit letters of interest to Township Clerk Becky Chown, [email protected], or by mail to 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday April 23, 2025.
Paving at Bowers Harbor Park
The parking lot renovation at Bowers Harbor Park will begin Monday, April 21, and will likely take about two weeks to complete. Elmer’s will keep some parking open at all times, so if you are planning to come out and enjoy the park, please do so. Just know you might need to park somewhere other than planned while the work is ongoing. Thank you, Team Elmer’s, for your fine work!
Updates from Down the Hall
Zoning: The job posting window for a full-time zoning administrator has closed. After preliminary interviews, we have narrowed it down to two candidates and made one official job offer. I will keep you posted as things progress.
The Grand Traverse County Road Commission lifted their winter weight restrictions this week!
Looking Ahead to Next Week
The parks committee is meeting on Monday, April 21, 3 p.m., at the Township Hall. The agenda and packet will be available soon here.
***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. View the meeting agenda here.
On the Horizon
The Township has signed the contract with Team Elmer’s to pave the compactor and recycling center driveway loop at 2751 Devil’s Dive Road!
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Dates
Grand Traverse County Recycle Smart has announced upcoming drop-off dates for household hazardous waste. To make an appointment, head over to their website. Here are the upcoming dates:
- Thursday, May 15, 1 – 6 p.m.
- Thursday, June 26, noon – 6 p.m.
- Thursday, August 14, noon – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, September 13, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHEW! 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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Thank you for the timely, excellent summary.