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Editor’s Note: Peninsula Township Supervisor Maura Sanders reports on the Right to Farm/GAAMPs meeting, a FOIA request to the Road Commission, a new Planning Commission member, work on the Lighthouse parking lot and more. Big thanks to Maura for these weekly updates. Read on for this week’s note. -jb)
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July 17, 2026
The week started off on such a beautiful summer high note and ended like we landed on Mars. Please stay safe out there with the poor air quality and check in on your neighbors.
On July 13th, the Township Board (TB) and Planning Commission (PC) held a joint special meeting with MSU Extension/Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to host an education session regarding the Right to Farm Program and Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs). The meeting minutes can be found here and the recorded YouTube video here. We will be keeping the video on the township server, and it will be available after the 30-day YouTube expiration.
The TB held their 2nd regular meeting of the month on Wednesday – view the YouTube video here. The TB accepted the $1 offer from Cunningham-Limp to provide pre-construction consulting services for the possible relocation of township facilities and development of a future Fire Station #1.
The TB interviewed PC candidates and selected Christopher Lyon to fill the vacancy left with Randy Hall’s retirement. The TB formalized a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Peninsula Township and the Peter Dougherty Society. The TB also passed the Shoreline Ordinance Amendment #206 (pg. 209 of the meeting packet).
The Township submitted a FOIA request to the Grand Traverse County Road Commission on Wednesday. The Road Commission update at the July 14th TB meeting reinforced the 50 percent cost share required from the Township for road repairs/replacement outside of the projects that the Road Commission ranks and performs as part of their regular tax collection funding across the county. The request entails all maintenance records and reports, repair requests, denials and road rating reports from 2000 to present for Swaney Road, Ladd Road, Neahtawanta Road and Bluff Road. I will provide details on the responsive materials as they are made available to the Township.
The Mission Point Lighthouse/Old Mission Point State Park parking lot was chip sealed this week after adding some additional parking spaces a few weeks ago. Great work by the Parks Committee prioritizing this project for the safe enjoyment of all of our visitors to the park, Hessler Log Cabin and OMP Lighthouse!
Updates From Down The Hall
The Treasurer’s Office Update: Summer tax bills went out on July 1st, and we are busy with payments coming in. If you still haven’t received your bill, please give our office a call and we’d be happy to send you another or email you a copy. Our office phone number is (231) 223-4484. We know that no one enjoys paying taxes, but it’s our favorite time of the year because we get to interact with all the wonderful residents. Come and say hello!
Reminder from the Planning and Zoning Department: The Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance Tracking document (view it here) provides updates on proposed zoning ordinance amendments currently under review. This document is intended to help residents, applicants, and other interested parties follow each amendment as it moves through the review and adoption process. The tracking document will be updated weekly to reflect the most current status of each amendment.
Looking Ahead To Next Week – And Beyond
The Agricultural Advisory Committee DOES NOT have a regularly scheduled meeting this month.
The Parks Committee meeting for July 22nd has been cancelled.
Old Mission Peninsula School is now enrolling! Come experience Old Mission Peninsula School in person! Take a tour with our Administration and let them show you everything OMPS has to offer and why our students love to learn!
Please join us for a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the Grand Opening of the “Hope for Hemlocks Sustainable Boardwalk” at the John Spencer Trail at Pelizzari Natural Area. The event will take place on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 6 p.m.
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.
Enjoy this mid-July weekend — it’s going fast!!🌻
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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