To view or leave comments on this story, click HERE.
Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with an update on the WOMP mediation, a vacancy on the Planning Commission, Township Survey results, the Old Mission Women’s Club annual cookie sale 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 Donate and Keep the Gazette Going.
November 15, 2025
Short week and short update!
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.
Our Township legal counsel is actively working with WOMP counsel to establish formal mediation proceedings to address the settlement proposals that have been presented. The Township remains committed to this process if the Wineries and PTP are willing to participate constructively. If WOMP or PTP are not willing to engage in constructive mediation or participate at all, the Township would urge the parties to continue talks that are transparent.
The issues involved in the litigation are of significant public importance, and the regulations challenged and deemed problematic were drafted and adopted through a public process. To discuss permanent changes to the same zoning ordinance without public transparency concerns the Township Board.
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) held a Special Meeting on Monday to discuss variance request #927 regarding compliance with the wetland variance approval for a home under construction on Bluff Road. Watch the meeting on the Township’s YouTube channel, available for 30 days and then kept at the Township Hall for future reference. The Township, through its legal team, issued a Cease and Desist order, which will remain in effect pending further information. A public hearing will be scheduled to determine next steps.
The Township Board held their 1st November regular meeting on Nov. 12. There were a few agenda items added at the meeting for public transparency, i.e. public request for information regarding the newly formed (non-Township activity) Old Mission Citizens Coalition. There is also an invite-only prayer gathering. Although this is not a Township activity, it was presented in the event there was a quorum of the Board present: “Maura Sanders, you are invited to ‘Peninsula Township Community Prayer Gathering.’ Let Kathleen Haueisen know if you can make it and get all the details here.
The Town Board was also presented with an opportunity to build the potential new fire station #1 on the same Mapleton property (across from Bad Dog Deli) as previously offered, appraised and discussed. The TB appreciated the offer of a 1:1 exchange — the vacant property for the current station #1 property. However, there is some due diligence required, as the cell tower was also requested in this exchange. The roughly $100,000 in rental income from the leases on the tower is necessary to provide legal defense. (See page 20 of the FY 25/26 budget for info on the Tower Fund). The TB will discuss it at our next meeting.
The Public Hearings for the draft Noise Ordinance and the draft Road Ends ordinance (see page 135 of the meeting packet) were held. Those will both move forward and be presented for action at the December TB meeting.
REMINDER – Planning Commission Vacancy. If you are interested in serving on the Planning Commission, 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 December 2, 2025.
I read a lot of online discussions about different opinions and topics of interest in relation to our planning efforts and zoning ordinance. Although it is good to see a few members of the community engaging online, the residents of the township are best served by transparent representation in elected and appointed positions.
This is a great opportunity to serve and effect the change you want to see. Additionally, the several sub-committee efforts are always looking for additional thought leaders, experienced professionals, and most importantly – concerned residents.
Peninsula Township Survey Results
The results of the 2025 Peninsula Township Survey are in – view the complete results here. Regarding the Peninsula Township Goals, a majority of phone respondents said that six of the seven goals were important, with a 57 percent majority saying that “expanding land and housing development opportunities” was not important.
This opinion is consistent with responses to other questions suggesting that Peninsula Township residents are concerned about excessive growth. Here is that section of the survey…
Updates From Down the Hall
Planning and Zoning Departments. The job posting for the fulltime Planning and Zoning Administrator is posted online. This administrator will support and manage the Township’s planning and zoning functions. Our current zoning administrator, Sara Korpiva, will be staying with the township per her contract, and will be providing professional planning support to the township.
Welcome to our newly-hired Planning, Zoning and Assessing Assistant. Jenna Beattie started fulltime this week, and she is quickly getting up to speed! If you stop in, please take a moment to welcome her to Peninsula Township.
Peninsula Township Fire Department is hiring for one Vacancy. Applications must be in by 5 p.m. on December 15. If you have any questions, please reach out!
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
The Agricultural Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Town Hall. Their newest 2nd alternate appointee, Nicholas Johnson of Johnson Farms, will be there to get to work. Chris Baldya, owner of 2 Lads Winery, will be moving from the alternate position to a full voting committee member.
Peninsula Community Library. The Friends of PCL will hold a Book Bundle Sale November 30 to December 31 in the PCL Lobby. Stop by and check it out — great gift ideas! The sale will also be in the Carriage House during the PCL Holiday Market on December 13, in conjunction with the Old Mission Women’s Club Annual Cookie Sale.
Old Mission Women’s Club. The club’s Annual Cookie Sale is moving to Peninsula Community Library this December! New place. New time. Same delicious treats you know and love! Plus, plenty of parking! Mark your calendars – the cookie sale will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. til sold out.
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.
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…
To view or leave comments on this story, click HERE.
Let the formal mediation begin!