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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders updates us on happenings at the Township offices, including a note about written comment policy, the Shoreline Draft Ordinance, a WOMP lawsuit update 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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January 16, 2026
Just a reminder: Peninsula Township offices are closed Monday, January 19, 2026, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
A Note About Written Public Comment for Boards & Committees. Did you know that the Township has a policy regarding written public comment for our boards and committees? In order for written public comment from applicants or appellants to be included in the meeting packet, communications must be received by noon seven days before the meeting.
Communications received by the public at large (not from an applicant or appellant) that are received by 9 a.m. the day before the meeting will be included in the packet addition. All the details can be found in the policy on the Township website here. If you would like to receive notification when meeting agendas or packets are available on the Township website, please email [email protected] to be added to the email blast.
The Planning Commission (PC) held a special meeting for the Shoreline Draft Ordinance this week (watch the meeting on our YouTube channel, available for 30 days following meetings). The PC voted to hold a Public Hearing for this draft at their next regular meeting on February 5, 2026. Depending on the outcome of that meeting, the next step would be to make a recommendation to the Township Board (TB). The TB would then hold an additional Public Hearing prior to discussions and decisions.
WOMP Lawsuit Update: The Township Board’s sub-committee of three officers met with four winery owners from WOMP on January 14, 2026. Legal counsel for both parties was present. There was some really good discussion surrounding the areas of disagreement between the parties. My impression is that the winery owners and Board representatives that were present will continue, in good faith, to meet. The Township is going to reconvene and will be ready to meet with the wineries again in about 10 days.
Mission Point Lighthouse Job Opportunity. Lighthouse Manager Ginger Schultz is accepting letters of interest/resumes for a part-time, year-round lighthouse assistant. This administrative and retail position is 12 hours maximum per week. Hours are somewhat flexible, but some evening, weekend, and holiday work is required, as is availability during the busy season from April–October. Starting pay is $17/hour with pay commensurate with qualifications and experience. Duties include scheduling local volunteers on the keeper’s day off, assisting the manager on Tuesdays (keeper switch day), training volunteers for retail duties in the gift shop, light cleaning, and assisting with community events. Note: applicants must be able to climb 37 steps several times a day. Please contact Ginger at [email protected] to apply or ask any questions.
Updates From Down the Hall
Treasurer’s Update: Winter tax bills have been sent out. They are payable without penalty through February 17, 2026. If you haven’t received your bill, please call the treasurer’s office (231) 223-4484. **You may put your payments in the gray pedestal drop box outside the front door or use the PAY TAX BILLS tab on the Township’s homepage if you are not able to come in person or mail in.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond:
The Parks Committee meeting scheduled for this week, January 14, was cancelled due to the weather. I will keep you posted if this is rescheduled as a special meeting.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) will be meeting on January 20 at 2 p.m. Their small producer sub-committee will be presenting draft ordinance language for the AAC to discuss.
Peninsula Community Library: All are welcome to Peninsula Insights on January 21 at 7 p.m. January’s speaker is Michele Howard, the director of the Traverse Area District Library. Michele will talk about what’s happening at the big library in town. Join us for her presentation, accompanied by dessert courtesy of Chef Brit Eaton. Keep up to date on all the library happenings here.
Old Mission Peninsula School: Open Enrollment Period for the 2026/27 school year begins on February 2, 2026, and closes on February 27, 2026. If a lottery is needed for any given grade, the lottery will occur in early March 2026. Please note that applications for new students continue to be accepted after the February 27, 2026 period, and these students are either accepted into a class that has available space or wait listed in the order of receipt if a class is full.
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.
Stay warm, and please check in on your neighbors.
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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Thanks Maura. Very encouraged that the wineries are in discussion. I think that the wineries lawsuit has had a very deleterious affect on the Township and its residents. It will be hard to put that aside finally, but I am hopeful that this will be the case. It is my feeling that this could all have been solved through the formal, public process of either amending the ordinances that had been originally promulgated (with the help of the wineries it should be stated), or through the public process of amending individual special use permits for each business. I know first hand how messy this process is, but in retrospect, just how much messier has been the result of the lawsuit.
My thanks to all the members of the Township Board, who, I know, have been diligent in trying to protect the rights of the Township citizens. It’s not an easy job, and one that can keep you awake nights I know, but it is one that is important to all of us.