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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports in with an update on the settlement offer proposed by the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP), news about our scenic byway on the Peninsula, the Seven Hills special use permit, upcoming meetings 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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November 7, 2025
Batten down the hatches! The gales — and potential first snow — of November are upon us!
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.
The Town Board held a special meeting on Wednesday (watch it on our YouTube channel here; available for 30 days following the meeting) to discuss the recent consent judgement settlement proposal from the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP). After entering closed session with our legal counsel, the board provided a statement.
The Town Board will be entering into formal mediation with all parties to the lawsuit — WOMP and Protect the Peninsula (PTP). We will provide more information on the forward progress as it becomes available.
**Small correction to a comment I made during the meeting: the WOMP demands from 11/2020 (Defendants counsel provided to the township planner) are located at the top of the WOMP Lawsuit Court Filings page (here is the direct link).
On Monday, Township Clerk Becky Chown, Treasurer Katie Clark and I attended the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Pure Michigan Byways Workshop. Did you know that M-37 in Peninsula Township is a designated State Scenic Byway? Check out page 22 and 23 of the Pure Michigan Byways Driving Route.
We brought back several examples of the different byways in Michigan. Peninsula Township is being asked to update our corridor management plan (2012 – current plan). We are engaged with Networks Northwest and will be moving forward with this task. If you are interested in being part of the process, please reach out and let me know!
The Planning Commission met this week (watch the video on our YouTube channel). They discussed Seven Hills Special Use Permit 35, Amendment 4 and will send their formal recommendations to the Town Board. The PC did not recommend self-contained mobile kitchens and mobile bars on site. This re-enforced the Planner’s comments from last month’s meeting that food trucks of any kind are not allowed in any of our zoning districts.
They also had the Fire Station #1 Special Use Permit 144 introduction, and moved to hold a public hearing for December. Our Planner will have a draft ordinance for the December meeting for the suggested 40-acre minimum for all agricultural processing facilities.
Updates From Down the Hall
Planning and Zoning Departments: The job posting for the full-time 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.
Peninsula Township Fire Department: Great job by probationary firefighter Emry Kiley on passing her Emergency Medical Technician Basic class. Emry will keep moving forward with her preparation for the National Registry test! We are all behind you and wish you the best of luck!
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
The Town Board will have our regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. at the Township Hall. Note that the Township offices are closed on Tuesday in observance of Veterans Day. View the agenda here and the packet here. On the agenda:
- Proposed Budget Amendment to Pay Off Loan for Fire Department Station #3 at the north end
- Water and Sewer Financial Projection
- Presentation on Cross Connection Control Program for the Grand Traverse County Department of Public Works
- Continuation of Public Hearing for Bayshore Marathon 2026 with no action to be taken
- Public Hearing for Proposed Road Ends Ordinance No. 61 with no action to be taken
- Public Hearing for Proposed Noise Ordinance No. 62 (incorrectly called No. 40, Amendment 2 in a former agenda and packet) with no action to be taken
- Opening on the Planning Commission
- PDR Violations Update
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will have a special emergency meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m. at the Township Hall. This meeting is in regard to a Cease and Desist Order on a construction project on Bluff Road. The ZBA will be reviewing a Wetlands Variance approved in October, and discussing compliance issues. View the agenda and Cease and Desist order here, and read more about the issues here.
The Peninsula Community Library: The Friends of PCL will hold a Book Bundle Sale Nov. 30 to Dec. 31 in the PCL Lobby. Stop by and check it out; books make great gifts! The sale will also be in the Carriage House at the PCL Holiday Market on December 13, when the Old Mission Women’s Club Annual Cookie Sale will be held in the community room.
Old Mission Women’s Club: NEW LOCATION — SAME SWEET TRADITION! The 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 on Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. until sold out (get there early!).
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! Get the shovels ready!
Happy Veterans Day to all those that have served! Happy 250th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps.
Semper Fidelis,
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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