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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates about the winery lawsuit and more. Of the public and written comments this week, she writes that “the overwhelming consensus is to negotiate a settlement” and that “nine residents recommended an appeal, and six recommended not to appeal.” 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 18, 2025
Greetings, Neighbors,
By now you are aware of the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) vs. Peninsula Township Bench Trial Opinion released July 7, 2025. Judge Paul K. Maloney awarded WOMP $49,263,007.70 in damages.
The Township Board held a Special Meeting on Monday July 14 to address the information we had at the time and to discuss an appeal (watch the meeting on the Township’s YouTube channel; available for 30 days. -jb).
I want to be very transparent about what we know, what we don’t know, and the timeline of information going forward.
- Monday’s meeting had significant public comment and written comment that was received by the 9 a.m. deadline on July 13.
- There were 20 neighbors who addressed the Township Board in person and six via letter, which were included in the meeting packet. The overwhelming consensus is to negotiate a settlement. Nine residents recommended an appeal, and six recommended not to appeal.
- The Board went into closed session with our Township legal counsel and our insurance counsel. After much discussion, the Board moved to “Authorize our Township counsel to proceed with an appeal to preserve the township rights and remedies.” The federal appeal is made to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The deadline for appeal is August 6, 2025.
- Court-ordered mediation is often the initial step once in the court system.
- As of Tuesday, July 15, the Township legal counsel was still working with all current and former insurance companies to see what our actual coverage is. As of this posting, that information is still not confirmed.
- Regarding the collection of judgement: “The supervisor or assessing officer receiving the certified transcript or transcripts of judgment shall proceed to assess the amount thereof with the costs and interests from the date of rendition of judgment to the time when the warrant for the collection thereof will expire upon the taxable property of the township upon the then next tax roll of such township, without any other or further certificate than the certified transcript as part of the township tax, adding the total amount of the judgment to the other township taxes and assessing it in the same column with the general township tax. The treasurer of the township shall collect and pay the judgment to the owner thereof or his attorney, on or before the date when the tax roll and warrant shall be returnable.” (Read more here. -jb)
The Town Board will have more information to share at the 2nd regular meeting on Tuesday July 22, at 3 p.m. in the Township Hall.
Updates from Down the Hall:
The Planning Department: The Planner has created the: “Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Advisory Committee Project Plan” (view it here). This plan could be adjusted as the Planning Commission moves along. Updated versions will be posted publicly, as available. This work will be done within an advisory committee under the Planning Commission (PC). This project plan does not take the place of business in progress at the PC or new business brought to the PC.
The Treasurer’s Office: By now, everyone should have received their tax bills. If you 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, 2025.
The Zoning Office participated in training this week for the EPIC-GT software. This is the platform that we will be using to receive and track all land use permits. This software interfaces with Grand Traverse County (Health Department, Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control, and Building Department/Construction Code).
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond:
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 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. Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Keep an eye on all upcoming meetings via the Township website and our live streamed meetings (saved for 30 days) on our YouTube Channel.)
Also, a big thank-you to Parks Committee member Michele Zebell for arranging to have the GoatWork goats at Bowers Harbor Natural Area. They are working hard each week to eat the invasive plants through the end of July. Stop by and visit the goats, and read more about their work here.
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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Also Read…
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Judge Paul K. Maloney awarded damages to the township as if the township had no right to impose ANY zoning ordinances against the wimeries effectively declaring zoning illegal and thus reasoning the township pay ALL proposed winery damages as compared to their wishful profits as if their businesses were completely unfettered. This is certainly an erroneous judgement as it is well established that townships have the right to set zoning ordinances to protect their citizens welfare. For example if any buisines is allowed it would included calling itself a winery but actually operating entierly as a restaurant or music/dance/entertainment hall, or a paint ball venue, or an an automobile racing track,with only commercially purchesed wine.
See: Google: do wineries have the right to serve food
https://www.google.com/search?q=do+wineries+have+the+right+to+serve+food&oq=do+wineries+have+the+right+to+serve+food&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCTI4ODIwajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
For example: Local zoning ordinances can impact the types of business operations a winery is allowed to conduct, including the extent of food service it can offer, according to Michigan Craft Beverage Council.
Antony, th e judge did not say the township did not have the right to require the wineries grow a certain percentage of their grapes on winery property. He also said that weddings were not commercial speech. Therefore your ideas for what wineries could do have no basis in fact. The judge did say that as a result of the officers of the Township saying weddings and large events were acceptable under the previous zoning laws they would continue to be acceptable.
I find it a bit disconcerting when people go to extremes because the judge ruled against what they wanted to happen. You are likely to be surprised when the judge is not overturned on his findings. There is a possibility that the damage amount will be lowered. How much, I don’t have a clue but the remaining amount is likely to be substantial.