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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates about the winery lawsuit, road work around the OMP, a Goat Tea 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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July 26, 2025
Greetings, Neighbors! I hope you are enjoying everything summer has to offer! Even way out on the north end, the flowers are blooming and the veggie garden is producing!
The Grand Traverse County Road Commission (GTCRC) has been busy over the last week in the township. I’ve only had a chance to drive the distance up Peninsula Drive from Seven Hills, but it was a lovely flat surface!! We look forward to forthcoming projects from the GTCRC!
(Here’s a couple of photos of road work being done on Bluff Road. We are all grateful for the lovely new surface! – jb)
WOMP vs Peninsula Township Update:
- On Friday, July 18, the Plaintiff’s attorney filed for attorney fees in addition to the judgement award of $49,263,007.70. All recent filings can be found under “2025-07-18 Plaintiff’s Attorney Fees” on the Peninsula Township website here. (Below are the tables of “Requested Rates and Fees” from Page 27 of the “Plaintiffs’ Brief in Support of Fee Petition Under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.” Read the full document here. – jb)
- As of Tuesday, July 15, the Township legal counsel was still working with all current and former insurance companies to determine our actual coverage. As of this posting, that information is still not confirmed.
The Township Board held our second regular meeting on Tuesday, July 22. We had some really good discussions on the draft Parking Ordinance.
Will Manty, Farmland Protection Specialist at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, provided an update on the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. The most recent Round 1 had 10 applicants. Five of those are actively moving through the process with appraisals and easements. Round 2 had 12 applicants. Preliminary contact has been made with those 12 owners to discuss the program and the process. In total, there are approximately 1000 acres being offered and considered for Rounds 1 and 2 of the recent PDR cycle.
For more information, please review the meeting packet or watch the recorded video on Peninsula Township’s YouTube channel (videos are available for 30 days following the meeting).
Updates from Down the Hall:
The Parks Committee held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 23. There is an opening on the Parks Committee to fill the vacancy of Pete Dahl. Pete has served on the Parks Committee for many years and has been a very valuable and dedicated volunteer. Thank you for your service to our community, Pete.
Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest for one immediate opening on the Peninsula Township Parks Committee, which meets the fourth Monday at 3 p.m. and the fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m., alternating each month. Additional meetings and study sessions might be scheduled. Note: applicants must be qualified electors of Peninsula Township. Please submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Becky Chown, Township Clerk, via email at [email protected], or by mail to 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, by noon on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Update on the Goats: Have you visited the hard-working goats at Bowers Harbor Natural Area yet? They will continue eating invasive plants each weekday until the end of July, from about 8:30-9 a.m. to 2-3 p.m. each day. Parks Committee member Michele Zebell said they are primarily eating the spotted knapweed, autumn olive and poison ivy, and that township residents are really making an effort to come out and see them, which is great.
On Wednesday, July 30 (rain date, July 31), 10:30 a.m. to noon, you are invited to a “Go-Tea.” Come out and sip tea, nibble a muffin, and watch the goats peacefully grazing at Bowers Harbor Natural Area. Bring a chair, and RSVP to [email protected].
The Planning Department: The Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Project Plan was included in the Town Board meeting packet (page 34 or view it directly here). Please check it out for more information on the process, timeline and public input.
Survey Update: The survey committee will finish up their sub-committee work and then pass along their recommendations to the Planner. The Town Board will receive an executive summary from the planner by mid-August. Once the Town Board is ok with the summary, we will ask the planner, under my supervision, to provide everything directly to EPIC-MRA to prepare for the community survey.
The Clerk’s Office: The clerk’s office has been busy keeping up with the Qualified Voter File (QVF) inbox, paying bills, answering cemetery inquiries, and working with engineers at Gosling Czubak to finalize the RFPs (Requests for Proposal) for the materials and construction of the sustainable trail in the Hemlock Wing at Pelizzari Natural Area.
The Treasurers Office: By now, everyone should have received their tax bills. If you still haven’t received yours, please give the treasurer’s office a call, (231) 223-4484, and we’d be happy to send you another copy in the mail or by email. Bills are due September 15.
The Zoning Office: The zoning office continues to be busy with new permit applications and is currently about three weeks out in processing completed applications; they are reviewed in the order received. Having all the necessary paperwork when the application is submitted is important to avoid delays. If there are any ordinance violation concerns (junk, zoning or others), please submit a violation complaint form for the issue to be reviewed. This can be filled out online on the Township website here.
Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest and/or resumes for individuals to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. 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 Peninsula Township. Please submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Township Clerk Becky Chown via email at [email protected], or mail it to her at 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 by 4 p.m. Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond:
Keep an eye on all upcoming meetings via the Township website and our live-streamed meetings (saved for 30 days) on our YouTube Channel.)
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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