Welcome to Peninsula Township

The Old Mission Peninsula is perhaps Michigan's most unique and scenic township. Unlike the typical six-mile by six-mile-square township, the Old Mission Peninsula is finger-like in shape, projecting approximately 16 miles into Grand Traverse Bay. The township varies from one to three miles in width and encompasses approximately 42 miles of Great Lakes shoreline.  The 2010 U.S. Census lists a population of 5,433.

Peninsula Township Offices are Open

Township staff will be working at the office during our normal business hours. We are asking that you make an appointment to see staff and use the drop box out in front of the office to help limit person to person contact.  Go to Township Directory and then email the staff member you think will best be able to help you.  Masks are required.  You will use the intercom system to be buzzed in if you have an appointment.

Public Hearings

Township Board Special Meeting  - Tuesday July 7, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
  • Peninsula Township Fire Station 3 - The township board invites comments from residents regarding a bid award or an alternative course of action.  PROPERTY LOCATION: 19270 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686,  PARCEL ID #: 28-11-227-018-01.  A copy of the plans, received bids, and letter of recommendation from the township engineer may be examined at 13235 Center Rd., Traverse City, Michigan, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.  Written comments regarding this item may be submitted to the Peninsula Township Clerk, 13235 Center Rd. Traverse City, Michigan 49686, not later than 12:00 p.m. on July 7, 2020.
Township Board - Tuesday July 14, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
  • Special Use Permit (SUP) #135 involves a request to designate Hawthorne Vineyards as a Winery-Chateau pursuant to Section 8.7.2 (11) of the Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance. This change would allow for more events at the site.   A 40 x 60-foot outdoor pavilion is also proposed for future construction.  PROPERTY LOCATION:  1000 Camino Maria Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686.  PARCEL ID #: 28-11-018-006-01, 28-11-018-008-00, 28-11-017-036-00.  Written comments regarding this item may be submitted to the Peninsula Township Planning Department, 13235 Center Rd. Traverse City, Michigan 49686 not later than 12:00 PM on July 14, 2020.
  • Special Use Permit (SUP) #136 involves a request to approve a “Special Open Space Use” on a 3.77-acre site west of the Peninsula Market and Peninsula Grill.  The “Special Open Space Use” (pursuant to Section 6.7.3 (2)) is for future septic fields and related appurtenances to serve the existing commercial development.   If approved, a 3.77-acre site containing the future septic fields and related appurtenances will be joined with the parcel to the east (28-11-122-025-02).  PROPERTY LOCATION:  West of the property at 14111 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686.  PARCEL ID #: Now part of parcel 28-11-122-020-30. Written comments regarding this item may be submitted to the Peninsula Township Planning Department, 13235 Center Rd. Traverse City, Michigan 49686 not later than 12:00 PM on July 14, 2020.
Planning Commission Monday July 20, 2020 at 7:00 PM
  • Special Use Permit #123 second amendment - A proposed second amendment to Special Use Permit (SUP) #123 has been submitted for review to the Peninsula Township Planning Commission. The proposed amendment relates to the development known as Peninsula Shores (formerly The 81 on East Bay).  The proposed amendment primarily involves relocation of Lot #1 from the southern end of the development to the northern end.  With this, land designated as Parcel “A” would also be sold to an adjoining property owner.   PROPERTY LOCATION: 15634 Smokey Hollow Rd. and 15636 Bluff Rd., Traverse City, Michigan 49686.  PARCEL ID #'s: Parcel ID#: 28-11-114-001-00; 28-11-114-002-00.  A copy of the application and proposed plans may be examined at 13235 Center Rd., Traverse City, MI, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday.  Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to the Peninsula Township Planning Department, 13235 Center Rd. Traverse City, Michigan 49686 not later than 12:00 PM on July 20, 2020. Comments may be emailed to planner@peninsulatownship.com.
  • Planned Unit Development/Special Use Permit #137 - The proposed Bella Vue development creates six new residential building lots with access from a private road.  The total site is about 4.25 acres.  The proposed private road would connect to Center Road and terminate in a cul-de-sac. Plans also include drainage, stormwater retention and wastewater management infrastructure.  PROPERTY LOCATION: No address assigned. About ¼ mile north of the intersection of Center Road and Bluff Road on the east side of Center Road and west side of Bluff Road.   PARCEL ID #: 28-11-009-029-10 and 28-11-009-035-55.  A copy of the application forms and proposed plans may be examined at 13235 Center Rd., Traverse City, Michigan, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday.  Written comments regarding this item may be submitted to the Peninsula Township Planning Department, 13235 Center Rd. Traverse City, Mi 49686 not later than 12:00 PM on July 20, 2020.  Comments may be emailed to
    planner@peninsulatownship.com.
Zoning Board of Appeals - Tuesday July 21, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Request No. 882 - Applicant: Ternes Family Cottage LLC – John Ternes, 11766 Bluff Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, Owner: Ternes Family Cottage LLC – 2430 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Property Address: 11766 Bluff Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, 1.  Requesting a variance from the required sixty (60) foot setback from ordinary high water to forty-seven (47) feet in order to construct a new single family residence. 2.  Requesting a variance to exceed the percentage of lot coverage from the allowed 15% to 17.56%.  Parcel Code # 28-11-003-018-00.  Written comment may be submitted to Peninsula Township Zoning Department at 13235 Center Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686 no later than 12:00 PM on July 20, 2020.

Lighthouse Shop Volunteers Needed

While the keeper quarters are still under construction, we are in need of local volunteers to help out in the gift shop at Mission Point Lighthouse (north end of M-37, Old Mission Peninsula). If you can help for a 3 hour shift on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, please contact me by phone or text 231-645-0759, Ginger Schultz. Volunteers receive a t-shirt, 30% off purchases and included in any volunteer parties. 

Fire Station Bid Results

Fire Station 3 bid results.  (website open in new tab)

Grand Traverse County Road Commission

  • Peninsula Drive Closures, this will be managed by flag control near 6467 Peninsula Drive starting Thursday, June 25th at 7:30 a.m. and lasting on and off for a couple of weeks.  Midlake Builders will be working on homeowner's property and will need to use the right-of-way.
  • Bluff Road is closed north of Blue Water Road until further notice. 
Contact the Grand Traverse County Road Commission with any questions at 231-922-4848.

COVID-19 Updates

Peninsula Township Fire Department has closed all of its fire stations to the public for the foreseeable future. ​The fire chief is asking that all business, with the exception of emergencies, be done by phone.
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All Peninsula Township parks and natural areas remain open. If you visit them, please keep the required social distance from other people, and please remember to pick up after your pet! Also, please be aware that the hand sanitizer and toilet paper have disappeared, so bring your own! Finally, ​all play structures are closed until further notice as we are unable to disinfect them.

Make your vote count without going to the polls: vote absentee! With August and November elections right around the proverbial corner and the global pandemic continuing to spread, Peninsula Township is urging all registered voters who aren't already on the permanent absentee voter (AV) list to email Becky Chown at clerk@peninsulatownship.com to ask to be placed on this list. All registered voters who are on this list will receive an application and ballot by mail. 

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Information - By now you've received a great deal of information about COVID-19, and with the situation changing very rapidly at times, we recommend that you consider the following four sources for your primary sources of information:
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  1. Grand Traverse County updates ​
  2. Munson Healthcare updates 
  3. State of Michigan updates
  4. ​Michigan Safe Start Map
  5. National updates​
  6. View a visualized map​ that renders live coronavirus cases data by county, from Munetrix​
Each of these sites will point you to the MOST UP-TO-DATE and ACCURATE INFORMATION on the situation. As soon as something new is learned about the virus or the situation, it is added to the online guidance information referenced on these three sites.

Property Tax Payment

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Quick Connect

Grand Traverse County Household Hazarded Waste 2020 dates:
(Sign up will be available online one month before each event.)  Go to the Grand Traverse County Recycle Smart website (website opens in a new tab) to make an appointment.​​
  • Thursday, August 6th
  • Saturday, September 26th
Donation of Development Rights
The Township's DDR program may be a great option for you! 
Contact Randy Mielnik, Planner, at 231-223-7314 if you are interested in more information.