To view or leave comments on this story, click HERE.
(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates about Haserot Beach health, the non-motorized community workshop, Old Mission State Park, online complaint forms 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)
Old Mission Gazette is Reader Supported.
Click Here to Keep the Gazette Going.
June 27, 2025
Neighbors, how are we doing?! I hope everyone is getting stocked up on everything needed for the next week+. Last week was a short work week, and next week is, as well. I will be squeezing as much as possible into this update and will report back after Independence Day!
The Grand Traverse County Health Department is in full swing on beach health reporting. Haserot Beach is tested weekly, and we are in good shape so far. To check for weekly updates going forward please visit the Grand Traverse County website here.
We are still interested to hear what the community has to say about the Bluff Road closure. We have received a few calls/emails and welcome more. Our appointed shoreline expert, G.T. County Drain Commissioner Andy Smits, has been continuing discussions stemming from our meeting with members of the Road Commission last week. I will keep everyone posted as these discussions and meetings continue.
The non-motorized community workshop was held this week. More than 100 residents attended, and robust discussions took place with significant feedback collected. UpNorthLive was in attendance and did a nice job reporting on the event. Check it out here.
Members of the Peninsula Township Parks Committee and Michigan DNR were in the township this week to discuss collaboration and preservation of the Old Mission State Park and beaches. The park, which surrounds the Mission Point Lighthouse Park, was acquired by lease with the help of the Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
This was a fabulous boots-on-the-ground tour of the trails, parking limitations, erosion and a look at signage and regulations. The DNR has recommended some necessary immediate changes, and the planning process for long-term preservation is underway.
The Fire Department would like to remind everyone about summer safety tips. There is always good information on their webpage, but their Facebook page offers a more in-depth look at seasonal safety.
The Township Board will have their July meeting on Thursday, July 10, at 5 p.m. in order to make quorum. The July 8 meeting has been cancelled.
As always, follow along on the Township’s YouTube Channel to keep up on Township Board, Commission and Committee meetings.
Updates from Down the Hall
The Zoning Office has created an online Ordinance Complaint Form. The submissions go directly to our Code Enforcement Officer. This is the most efficient and effective way to manage and maintain ordinance concerns within the community.
The EPIC-GT team (Grand Traverse County’s Electronic Permitting and Inspections Center) will be out to train the Township’s Planning, Zoning and Assessing departments on the online application forms so that we are ready to launch once fully integrated (this is not currently available in Peninsula Township). This will be the one stop shop for residents and contractors to apply and track land use permitting in Peninsula Township.
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA): Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest and/or resumes for individuals to serve on the ZBA. One three-year position is open. This board meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month; site visits often precede the meeting. Additional meetings may be scheduled. Applicants must be qualified electors of the township.
Please submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Township Clerk Becky Chown at [email protected] or mail it to her at 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, by 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Looking Ahead to Next Week and Beyond
Keep an eye on all upcoming meetings via the Township website.
Have a great weekend, everyone! I’ll be back with updates on July 11.
Happy Independence Day,
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.
————–
Also Read…
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
To keep the Gazette going, click here to make a donation.
To view or leave comments on this story, click HERE.
