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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports on happenings in the community, including updates on the WOMP lawsuit, the fire station land offer, election news, a parks donation, a house fire on Smokey Hollow Road and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates. Read on for this week’s note. -jb
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March 28, 2026
Well folks, we dug out from the blizzard and made it through another great week on Old Mission! With the weather closing things down last week, the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) was not able to meet. They will meet at their next regularly scheduled meeting on April 21st at 2 p.m.
Non-Motorized Transportation Planning. Mark your calendars, you’re invited! A Community Engagement Event is scheduled for April 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at Old Mission Peninsula School (2699 Island View Road).
The Township Board (TB) met twice on Tuesday. There was a Special Meeting at 1:30 p.m. to enter into closed session. The first topic of discussion was regarding the potential land purchase for the Fire Department. Coming out of closed session, the TB moved to have me draft and submit a very well thought out offer that will serve the township, the fire department and the private landowner for decades to come.
Additionally, the TB discussed the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) violation lawsuit, Peninsula Township vs. David Hague and Hague Acres LLC, regarding the non-agricultural, actively used, full-sized commercial ice rink inside the pole building on PDR property in violation of the PDR easement dated May 13, 2005.
The 3 p.m. Special Meeting included the second public hearing for the FY 26/27 Fire Department millage and the Adoption of Fire Department Fund Rate, Police Department Fund Rate, General Fund and Special Fund Budgets, and the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 calendar. View the full packet here and additions 1 and 2. The TB was also introduced to the draft Shoreline Amendment as recommended by the Planning Commission, pg. 83 of the packet.
The FY 26/27 budgets and rates were approved as amended. The FY 26/27 meeting calendar was also approved. The only significant change from years past is that the Planning Commission (PC) will be regularly scheduled on the 1st Thursday of every month. The TB also discussed the recommended flow chart from our Planner regarding the AAC. We were able to shore up the work flow process for clarity and transparency.
**Thank you to the Peninsula Township Fire Department, our CPOs, and our community partners for their quick response to a residential fire on Smokey Hollow Road during our meeting. It was unnerving to watch and listen to the massive response race up the peninsula. The residents were unharmed, and the fire was contained. On behalf of the community, Bravo and thank you!
The Parks Committee (PkC) met this week with an exciting spring kick-off agenda. The PkC announced another generous donation — thank you, Rhoda Bush, for the donation earmarked for chainsaw certification for our Parks volunteers. There was a great discussion with the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society (OMPHS) about working together to enhance the memorial tree program and expanding it into our parks where appropriate. The PkC discussed Kelley Park and the status of the boat launch project — view historical documents here, page 4. The YouTube video is available here to catch up on all of the great things going on in our parks!
WOMP Update (filings): Please use the links below for details, as there is a lot of information to share.
The additional federal lawsuit, Bonobo et al. vs Peninsula Township, for the noise ordinance and zoning ordinance violations has a Motion for Preliminary Injunction scheduled for April 23rd at 9 a.m. at 174 Federal Building, Kalamazoo, MI.
Regarding the appeal briefing schedule, WOMP’s principal brief was due on March 6th. However, WOMP requested and received an extension to April 17, 2026 to file their principal brief. WOMP also asked for additional words beyond the 5,000 granted to all parties in January. This request was denied. Once WOMP’s brief on appeal is filed, we will have until May 18th to file our reply in support of our appeal and respond to WOMP’s cross appeal. Oral arguments will most likely take place in October or November at the earliest.
Updates from Down the Hall
Next week, the Township Planning and Zoning departments will be meeting with county representatives to go over the final details on integrating the township permitting process into the county online system, EPIC GT.
WHAT IS EPIC-GT? EPIC-GT is Grand Traverse County’s Electronic Permitting and Inspections Center. Residents and builders must access this self-service portal for permitting and inspection needs. We developed the portal to streamline communications for users, make applying for permits and inspections easy, and to aid in speeding up the approvals process.
Looking Ahead to Next Week – and Beyond
Elections: We are gearing up for elections! If you would like to volunteer to work as an election inspector for the August 2026 State Primary and/or November 3rd General Election, please fill out and return an election inspector application in early 2026. Note: even if you’ve filled out an application in the past, you will need to do so again, as state law requires a new application every two years. Certification training from the county is also required every two years.
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.
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