Supervisor’s Weekly Note: Seven Hills, Winery Lawsuit, 33-Home PUD & More

(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates about the winery lawsuit, the 33-Home Planned Unit Development known as Walnut Grove, the Seven Hills Special Use Permit 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)

August 14, 2025

We have had a lot going on in the Township this week.

WOMP vs Peninsula Township Update: 

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO AMEND THE JUDGMENT – Earlier today, Judge Maloney issued the order denying Plaintiffs’ motion to amend the judgment to add prejudgment interest in the amount of $8,097,676,80. Read the order here.

The Township Board (TB) met this week. We had a packed agenda and a full house. The Board met at 6 p.m. to go into closed session with legal council regarding the WOMP lawsuit. The 7 p.m. meeting started a few minutes late, but we were able to make it through the whole agenda. Watch the meeting here. 

We had some really good public comment and some very important Board discussion around the proposed Parking Ordinance #60 (tabled to September 9 pending requested updates from our Planner), as well as the draft Noise Ordinance #61. There will be more information regarding both of these ordinances at the September regular board meeting. 

The Seven Hills Special Use Permit (SUP) discussion was continued at the TB level from the Planning Commission recommendations. We are anticipating the SUP amendment application, and will begin the process for public hearing and Board discussion and decision in the near future.

Susie Shipman, contract monitor for the Purchase of Development Rights program (PDR), presented the annual PDR violations report and the current status of these deed-related violations and affidavits to correct them. She has been working closely with the Grand Traverse County Register of Deeds office.

The Township Board will move forward with bids to appraise all Township real property assets that are not restricted to get a clear understanding of value. The FY 2025-2026 budget has been passed, and it is balanced. Therefore, the business of the Township will continue as approved for the remainder of the fiscal year. We will maintain agility with the ability to reassess as more information becomes available with the WOMP appeal moving forward.   

The Parks Committee (PkC) has two new members! This week, the Township Board approved two well qualified candidates to fill two vacancies. Welcome aboard, Liz Bruning and Erin Gartland! We would like to thank Mary Beth Milliken and Pete Dahl for years of dedicated service to our township parks. We are in a better place because of your faithful service!

Updates From Down The Hall

The Treasurer’s Office is anticipating a line when you come to pay taxes. Taxes are due 30 days from today. To date, the Treasurer’s office has collected $4.5 million of the $25 million owed. If you would like to make it easier on yourself and the Treasurer, online payments are encouraged! Click on the BRIGHT ORANGE “PAY TAX BILLS” BUTTON on the homepage of our Township website here.

The Planning Office: The Zoning Rewrite Ad-Hoc Committee met on August 11 and confirmed a monthly meeting schedule for the second Monday of every month at 1 p.m. at the Township Hall. These meetings are also streamed on YouTube. The committee made several recommendations regarding signage, shoreline, and short-term rentals. These topics are expected to be reviewed at the next regular Planning Commission (PC) meeting on September 2. 

Also at the September 2 PC meeting, Walnut Grove, a 33-unit planned unit development (PUD) proposed for the property across the road from Port of Old Mission, will be reintroducing a revised site plan for PC consideration. (Read more about this project here. -jb)

The Zoning Office: The Township is still looking to hire a Code Enforcement Officer. If you are interested and meet the minimum of three years in law enforcement, code enforcement, or a similar field, please contact Township Supervisor Maura Sanders, [email protected], or call (231) 223-7323. Please submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Township Clerk Becky Chown, [email protected].

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.

Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond: 

The Agricultural Advisory Committee will meet next week on Tuesday, August 19, at 2 p.m. in the Township Hall.  They have a packed agenda with a presentation regarding Agritourism and a draft definition for the Zoning Ordinance. View the meeting packet here.

The Peninsula Community Library (PCL) has had A LOT of activity this summer! I encourage everyone to check out their website or just stop in. PCL is an independent Township library operating by contract within and a part of the Traverse Area District Library.

Old Mission Peninsula School is enrolling for the new school year and also hiring. We are a very lucky community to have this opportunity for our youngest residents to thrive!

Please 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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Also Read…

Supervisor’s Weekly Note: Wasp Nests and Tree Down at Bowers Harbor, National Lighthouse Day, Motions Filed in Winery Lawsuit