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 at the office during our normal business hours and are seeing residents by appointment. If you do not need to see a staff member, feel free to use the after-hours drop box out in front of the office to drop off anything you want to get to a staff member or use the Township Directory (directory opens in new tab) and then email the staff member you think will best be able to help you. Note: please contact the treasurer’s office for all property tax-related inquiries and the clerk’s office for election and cemetery inquiries.

March Board of Review

March Board of Review Meeting Information (website opens in a new tab)

ZBA Members Needed - Apply Now

​Peninsula Township is accepting letters of interest and/or resumes for individuals to serve on the zoning board of appeals, which meets the third Tuesday of each month on an as-needed basis. The remainder of one three-year term ending August 2021 and one alternate position ending August 2023 are available. Additional meetings might be scheduled. Applicants must be qualified electors of the township. Please submit a letter of interest and/or resume to Township Clerk Becky Chown at clerk@peninsulatownship.com or by mail to 13235 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Please contact Zoning Administrator Christina Deeren at zoning@peninsulatownship.com for more information.

​Public Hearings

Township Board - Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.:
  • Trustees will hold the first public hearing for the Fire Special Assessment District for the fiscal year 2021–2022.  A draft copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the township offices after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021.  2020-2021 Fire Special Assessment District DRAFT Budget (website opens in a new tab)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.  To join using the Zoom App on a computer, tablet, or smartphone click the following link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82302494942 (website opens in a new tab).  To join by dialing in, call:  312.626.6799 followed by the Webinar ID: 823 0249 4942, followed by the # key.:
  • ZBA #889 - Richard M. & Dianne L. Frank, 7215 Peninsula Drive, Parcel #28-11-325-036-00 - Request: 
    1.  Requesting a variance from the required sixty (60) foot setback from the ordinary high waterline to thirty-one (31) feet in order to construct a 112 square foot addition to the existing non-conforming garage structure.
    2.  Requesting a variance from the required twenty-five (25) foot front yard setback to a twelve (12) foot front yard setback in order to construct a 112 square foot addition to the existing non-conforming garage structure.
    3.  Requesting a variance from the required 25 percent of lot coverage to 26.42 percent in order to construct a 112 square foot addition to existing non-conforming garage structure.
  • ZBA #890 - Jessica Bachmann-Perez, 910 Sheridan Rd., Parcel #28-11-595-038-00 - Request: 
    1.  Requesting a variance from the required thirty (30) foot rear setback to seven (7) feet for a 1620 square foot deck, a 214 square foot shed and 693 square feet of six (6) foot tall walled fence that has been constructed & placed without the proper permits.
    2.  Requesting a variance from the required fifteen (15) foot side yard setback to four (4) foot side yard setback on the westerly property line for a 1620 square foot deck, a 214 square foot shed and 693 square feet of six (6) foot tall walled fence that has been constructed & placed without the proper permits.
    3.  Requesting a variance from the required 25 percent of lot coverage to 43.89 percent for a 1620 square foot deck, a 214 square foot shed and 693 square feet of six (6) foot tall walled fence that has been constructed & placed without the proper permits.
Township Board - Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.:
  • Trustees will hold a public hearing on the proposed township general fund and special funds budget for the fiscal year 2021–2022.  A draft copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the township offices after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021.
  • Trustees will hold the second public hearing for the Fire Special Assessment District for the fiscal year 2021–2022.  A draft copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the township offices after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021.

Participate Old Mission

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​Peninsula Township recently launched a new public participation tool called Participate Old Mission. This tool provides a means to constructively share ideas, ask questions, and exchange thoughts. One component of this online platform is an opportunity to weigh in on topics relevant to updating the township master plan. Please take some time to explore this site and contribute your thoughts about the future of Peninsula Township. Visit ​https://participateoldmission.com (website opens in new tab) and check it out.

Winery Lawsuit Status from the Peninsula Township Attorney Gregory M. Meihn

March 3, 2021:
For those residents that are seeking information regarding the WOMP lawsuit, the demands, and other matters related to the lawsuit suit, please refer to our minutes of past Board meetings (website opens in a new tab) and legal updates at current Board meetings.  Further, residents can view any documents at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, using case no. 20-CV-01008.  If you request documents, feel free to contact the Board attorney, Gregory M. Meihn, at gmeihn@foleymansfield.com and he can provide you with the originally filed complaint and amended complaint.
February 8, 2021:
Dear Residents,
     Recently, an article published in the Old Mission Gazette written by PTP stated that PTP has intervened in the lawsuit with the wineries. While no such intervention has occurred as of yet, PTP is invited into the battle regarding the actions sought by WOMP and the 11 wineries. The article also made reference to the fact that the answer filed by the township might not protect the residents of Peninsula Township. 
       First, the township’s actions included an initial motion to dismiss, which forced WOMP and the wineries to properly plead their complaint by filing a first amended complaint. Second, the township defeated the motion for temporary restraining order sought by WOMP and the wineries to enjoin the township from enforcing its zoning ordinance and the contractual agreements with the wineries. Third, the answer filed by the township was drafted with the protection of the residents in mind. At this time, the township is fighting the lawsuit on its own to protect the township and residents. 
      The township welcomes PTP’s intervention in this matter and will greatly appreciate it when it happens. Nevertheless, the township will continue to pursue a path that is designed to protect the township and the residents of Peninsula Township.
​January 19, 2021:
     As you are aware, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan reviewed the Wineries’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction and denied the same based upon a lack of showing of irreparable harm and lack of showing likelihood of success on the merits at this stage of the litigation, among other arguments.  This result was a win for the Township and the residents of Peninsula Township.
     Peninsula Township attempted to file  a sur-reply asserting an additional argument that the Motion for Preliminary Injunction should be denied because the wineries at issue entered into contractual agreements with the Township agreeing to abide by such contractual terms and conditions that they are now seeking to have voided by the Court.  These contractual agreements were made in exchange for allowing the wineries to conduct its operations on agricultural lands.  The Court denied the filing of the sur-reply by the Township at the same time it issued its Order Denying the Motion for Preliminary Injunction.   In other words, the sur-reply was moot at this time.
     While the Township is always willing to engage in settlement discussions, the Wineries, through their counsel, have refused.  Accordingly, the Township is prepared to move this matter forward and expects to file a motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint once discovery is completed.
January 13, 2021:
     The purpose of this statement is to provide you a status of the Winery lawsuit.  As you know, the 13 Plaintiffs filed a civil action in the Western District Court.  Along with the civil action, the Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Injunctive relief to prohibit the Township from enforcing its zoning regulations as it relates to the wineries.  On behalf of the Township, and while the insurance carriers are working to determine coverage, we filed 11 different Motions to Dismiss the lawsuit based upon what is called a 12(b)(6) motion-the civil action fails to meet the pleading requirements.  In addition, we filed  a response to the Motion for Injunctive relief.
     Recently, and in an attempt to avoid having their complaints dismissed, Plaintiffs filed amended complaints seeking to remedy the defects.  We are reviewing the complaints now to determine if the defects have been repaired.  Plaintiffs have also filed a Reply to our Response regarding the Motion for Injunctive Relief arguing in part that the lawsuit is not a zoning issue, but rather a constitutional issue.  We disagree that it is not a zoning issue.  Further, we believe that this is a contractual agreement between the Township and the wineries, whereby they were granted the rights to build and operate in an agricultural district in exchange for their agreement to not only abide by the terms of the findings of facts and creation documents, but the zoning ordinance.
    In these COVID-19 times, we are unsure when the hearing on the Motion for Injunction will be heard, but expect it will be sometime in late January, early February.

​Consider Giving Locally This Year to Peninsula Township's Restricted Capital Campaign Fund and Make a Difference Here at Home  (website opens in a new tab)

Ordinance Draft (website opens in a new tab)

​Draft Ordinance - Background, The Current Status, The Purpose of a Public Hearing and The Process Going Forward (opens in a new tab)

Consumers Energy Tree Trimming and Cutting

Consumers Energy will be doing tree work in parts of Peninsula Township.   A forester was out in the area in December to work out their plans.  They will also be sending out post cards to all impacted customers and a door hanger will be left on the door of customers where they plan to trim or remove any trees.   Trees marked with a blue dot are designated for trimming and Trees with a blue X would be removal.  Please contact Mitch Cleland at 231.215.0146 or 231.929.6282 with any questions.

Grand Traverse County Road Commission

Contact the Grand Traverse County Road Commission with any questions at 231-922-4848.​​ 
  • Seasonal weight and speed restrictions will be enforced on county roads in Grand Traverse County effective 6:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.
  • Bluff Road is closed north of Blue Water Road until further notice. ​
  • ​Be aware we have received a lot of rain and snow that has caused some roadway issues.  There are orange traffic cones in multiple areas around the Peninsula.  Please use caution in these areas as the road commission works to mitigate the issues.

COVID-19 Updates

All Peninsula Township parks and natural areas remain open. If you visit them, please keep the required social distance from other people, and don't forget to pick up after your pet. Also, the hand sanitizer and toilet paper keep disappearing, so bring your own. Finally, ​all play structures are closed until further notice, as we are unable to disinfect them.
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 Health Department updates ​
  2. Grand Traverse County Health Department vaccine information
  3. Munson Healthcare updates 
  4. State of Michigan updates
  5. ​Michigan Safe Start Map
  6. National updates​​
  7. 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.

Quick Connect

Grand Traverse County Household Hazarded Waste & Scrap Tire Collection:
(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, April 15, 1pm - 7pm
Thursday, May 13, 1pm - 7pm   
Thursday, June 17, 1pm - 7pm 
Thursday, August 12, 1pm - 7pm 
Saturday, Sept., 18, 9am - 2pm
Thursday, October 14, 1pm - 7pm
The Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department (RecycleSmart) will be conducting Scrap Tire Collection Events in 2021.  There is a limit to how many tires we can accept per event so you must call the RecycleSmart Hotline, 231-941-5555, to schedule your appointment.  The event is for Grand Traverse County Residents only.  No businesses allowed.  
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.