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(Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with updates on the winery lawsuit, township survey, the fire department’s open house 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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October 16, 2025
I took a little writing break last weekend. Instead, my husband and I flew to Eugene, Oregon. If you haven’t been to the beautiful Willamette Valley for a visit, I highly recommend it! We watched the Indiana Hoosiers squish the Oregon Ducks. However, we were able to attend College Game Day with our younger daughter, who’s a junior at the University of Oregon.
WOMP vs Peninsula Township Update
Filings in the winery lawsuit can be found here. They are also available on Pacer (a website that keeps all public records current on all federal litigation) here. Once you register on Pacer, you can find the case by going to the Michigan Western District Court under case number 1:20-cv-01008.
WOMP has filed a motion to dismiss Protect the Peninsula from the appellate process (read PTP’s response here). The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals will decide that motion, which has delayed the appeal process on the Township and WOMP’s appeals.
Judge Maloney of the U.S. District Court still has three motions pending regarding attorney fees, sanctions, and stay of execution and waiver of the Township bonding on appeal. There are no current deadlines scheduled to know when either court may take additional action on these items.
On Tuesday night, the Township Board held two meetings. The first meeting was to enter into closed session to discuss the insurance company lawsuits and the WOMP litigation and settlement strategy. The second was the regular monthly meeting. We held a public hearing for the Bayshore Marathon. We discussed the WOMP appeal and the insurance suits. The board voted unanimously to enter into agreement with Miller Johnson Attorneys for insurance coverage counsel.
We continued the discussion on amending the current noise ordinance. We had an introduction on a road ends ordinance with support from Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff. We also passed Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. 205, which makes the maximum height of structures in all zoning districts consistent throughout the Zoning Ordinance (introduced at the July 10, 2025 Township Board Special Meeting). These combined meetings can be found on our YouTube channel for the next 28 days.
Updates From Down the Hall
2025 Peninsula Township Survey: The survey has been completed, and the results are being analyzed by EPIC-MRA. Once the report is finalized, we will post it to the website and alert the public via Old Mission Gazette and social media. For an example of what’s coming, view the survey results from 2019 here (and a summary on the Gazette here. -jb).
EPIC-MRA reported today that 1505 township residents responded; this is a 33 percent participation rate for all adult residents. In the world of public surveys, that is considered very good.
Peninsula Township Fire Department: The Fire Department’s Open House was a fabulous success. More than 60 people attended, and staff answered questions, provided lifesaving training techniques, offered facility and equipment tours, and provided informational handouts.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
The Parks Committee meets on Monday at 3 p.m. View the agenda here and the packet here. On the agenda:
- Parks Millage/Capital and Operating Budget Discussion
- Park Volunteering – Chainsaw Training Update
- Pelizzari Natural Area – Hemlock Boardwalk Update
- Nonmotorized Transportation Committee Update
- Friends Group Conversation
- Archie and Bowers Harbor Park Signage
- Budget Requests
The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025 is Cancelled.
Peninsula Community Library: Want to visit Africa? A Peninsula neighbor and professor from NMC will offer a travelogue of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana on Monday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Learn more about NMC’s travel program at this fun event.
Road Work: The Grand Traverse County Road Commission continues their work around the Peninsula. This week, they created better drainage on the west end of Swaney Road. Check out the work on the Swaney Road S-curves here.
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 wonderful October weekend, Everyone! Don’t forget your umbrella when you head out!
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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