General Planning Information

The Planning Department works closely with township property owners on issues regarding Special Use Permits, Developments and Ordinance Amendment. Recommendations are based on township ordinances, which are driven by a comprehensive master plan.

There are two staff members to help implement proposed plans along with seven Planning Commission members who make recommendations regarding Township policy to the Township Board.

Randy Mielnik is our Planner.  Christina Deeren is our Zoning Administrator.

The Planning Commission:

• Writes and updates the Master Plan
• Conducts public hearings on Special Use Permits and proposed zoning ordinance amendments
• Reviews and recommends approval of site plans.
• Drafts new zoning regulations
• Makes recommendations to the Township Board

Planning Commission meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Hall.

Members include :
Chair:  Donna Hornberger - Email Address:  dsh_44@yahoo.com
Vice-Chair:  Susan Shipman - Email Address:  shipman.parks@gmail.com
Secretary:  Todd Oosterhouse - Email Address:  todd@bonobowinery.com
Member/ZBA Representative:  Al Couture - Email Address:  acouture@need-lawyer.com
TB Representative:  Isaiah Wunsch - Email Address:  Wunschis23@gmail.com
Member:  Lawrence Dloski - Email Address:  lwdloski@gmail.com
Member:  Randy Hall - Email Address:  rand.plancom@gmail.com

Master Plan
Click HERE to view The 2011 Master Plan. ​

Audit of Peninsula Township's Purchase of Development Rights Program 2018 Conservation Easement Monitoring Report:
Click HERE to view part 1 of 2.
Click HERE to view part 2 of 2.
Click HERE to view the master spreadsheet.

Purchase of Development Rights
Click HERE to view a copy of "Forging New Protections:  Purchasing Development Rights to Save Farmland" - how Peninsula Township Designed & Built Support.  Click HERE to view the 2018 map of protected lands.

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. The application is available HERE 
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Master Plan Update 2019/Community Survey
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​Peninsula Township has begun a process to update its Master Plan. This process began with the formation of a Master Plan Steering Committee in May 2019. Currently, with assistance from EPIC-MRA, a new community survey is in progress. Following the community survey, future steps to engage the public in more interactive dialog (public workshops and planning sessions) are planned.   All meeting notices will be posted under the Planning Commission column on the Agendas/Minutes/Packets page, click HERE.  As the planning process unfolds, work products and materials will be posted here.   

• Click HERE to view the Master Plan Steering Committee contact information.
• Click HERE to view the Master Plan Steering Committee organizational matters.
• Click HERE to view the 2006 survey questions.
• Click HERE to view the 2006 survey results.
• Click HERE to view the 2006 survey results "Don't Know Analysis".
• Click HERE to view the Survey Phone Version DRAFT 1.3 of 08-01-19.
• Click HERE to view the PENINSULA TOWNSHIP PHONE SURVEY – AUGUST 2019 – Draft 6 of 09-11-19.
• Click HERE to view PENINSULA TOWNSHIP PHONE SURVEY – Draft 7 of 09-24-19.
• Click HERE to view the SUMMARY OF THE COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS PowerPoint presentation as presented at the 12-10-19 Township Board meeting.

Planning Forms

• The review process for developments
• Rezoning Request
• Special Meeting Request
• General Special Use Permit Application
• Special Use Permit Checklist
• Planned Unit Development SUP Application
• Planned Unit Development SUP Checklist
• Supplements to the General SUP Application
  • Bed & Breakfast SUP Application
  • Church SUP Application
  • Self Storage SUP Application
  • Tower SUP Application
• Special Use Permit Affidavit
• Environmental Assessment Form

​Ordinance Re-write Information
​Peninsula Township is currently working with McKenna Associates, a professional planning firm, to re-write the Zoning Ordinance. To participate in this process please join us at the Planning Commission work session meetings held at 5:30 PM on the third Monday of each month at the Township Hall. For more information please contact Randy Mielnik in the Planning & Zoning Department. Pertinent documents can be found below and will be continuously updated throughout this process. 

• Click HERE for the 01-14-16 Proposed Work Calendar for the Zoning Ordinance Update Schedule.
• Click HERE to view the Zoning Ordinance March 14, 2016 draft outline.
• Click HERE to view McKenna Associates February 16, 2016 Diagnostic Review of the Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance.
• Click HERE to view McKenna Associates April 11, 2015 Cover Letter - Proposed Ordinance Articles 1-7.
• Click HERE to view 04-11-16 DRAFT Zoning Ordinance.
• Click HERE to view the 04-26-16 Special Joint Township Board/Planning Commission Meeting Packet.
• Click HERE to view the 05-03-16 Special Joint Township Board/Planning Commission Meeting Packet.
• Click HERE to view McKenna Associates May 10, 2016 Cover Letter - Proposed Zoning Ordinance Articles 8-11.
• Click HERE to view 05-10-16 DRAFT Zoning Ordinance Articles 8-11.
• Click HERE to view 10-14-16 DRAFT Peninsula Township Zoning Map
• Click HERE to view 10-17-16 Summary of Zoning Ordinance Review and Remaining Review Items.
• 10-31-16 DRAFT 2 PENINSULA TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE:

                    Click HERE for with all markups shown version.  
                    Click HERE for no markups shown version.

• Click HERE to view the 11-30-17 DRAFT 3 PENINSULA TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE
• Click HERE to view the 08-27-18 DRAFT 4 PENINSULA TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE
• Click HERE to view the 10-24-18 DRAFT 5 PENINSULA TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE

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