General Zoning Information
The Zoning Department also works closely with township residents regarding land use issues. They review and approve proposals for land divisions and issue Land Use Permits for all forms of new construction. Click HERE to view Zoning Ordinance Amendments September 1, 2009 to September 5, 2018 (Amendments #185 - #195).
Randy Mielnik, Planner
Christina Deeren, Zoning Administrator
Ordinance Enforcement Officer, Dave Sanger, 231-216-1212 - Email Address: enforcement.peninsulazoning@ gmail.com
The Township has a five-member Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) which hears citizen appeals for variances from or interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance.
Zoning Board of Appeals meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Hall.
Members include :
Chair - Bernie Soutar - Email Address: bernolfsouter@aol.com
Vice-Chair - Rachel McBride - rach.marie.mcbride@gmail.com
Ashley Wahl - Email Address: awahlzba@gmail.com
Member - John Dolton - Email Address: jdolton@charter.net
Member & PC Representative - Al Couture - Email Address: acouture@need-lawyer.com
Alternate - Laura Serocki - Email Address: larocki1323@gmail.com
Alternate - Barb Rowlett - Email Address: barbara.rowlett15@gmail.com
Randy Mielnik, Planner
Christina Deeren, Zoning Administrator
Ordinance Enforcement Officer, Dave Sanger, 231-216-1212 - Email Address: enforcement.peninsulazoning@ gmail.com
The Township has a five-member Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) which hears citizen appeals for variances from or interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance.
Zoning Board of Appeals meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Hall.
Members include :
Chair - Bernie Soutar - Email Address: bernolfsouter@aol.com
Vice-Chair - Rachel McBride - rach.marie.mcbride@gmail.com
Ashley Wahl - Email Address: awahlzba@gmail.com
Member - John Dolton - Email Address: jdolton@charter.net
Member & PC Representative - Al Couture - Email Address: acouture@need-lawyer.com
Alternate - Laura Serocki - Email Address: larocki1323@gmail.com
Alternate - Barb Rowlett - Email Address: barbara.rowlett15@gmail.com
Zoning Forms
Zoning Ordinance
Click here to view a copy of the Zoning Ordinance with amendments through August 31, 2009 (through Amendment #184). Amendments passed after August 31, 2009 are not incorporated in this version. Click HERE to view Zoning Ordinance Amendments September 1, 2009 to September 5, 2018 (Amendments #185 - #195).
Click here to view figure 6-1 (Deck Height) & Deck Profiles (Amendment 140).
Click here to view examples of how to measure lot width.
Click here to view Figure 1 (Cul-de-sac).
Click here to view Figure 2A (Road Bed Cross Section).
Click here to view Figure 2B (Curb Detail).
Dark Night Sky Memo
With the summer months just around the corner, its time to start anticipating those beautiful clear night skys and star gazing trying to find the big and little dippers. In order to preserve this annual ritual, I’m sure that you are aware by now that in July 2008 the Township adopted an amendment to our Zoning Ordinance regarding Exterior Lighting Regulations (Dark Night Sky Ordinance).
In brief, the adopted regulations (See Sec. 7.14 of the Zoning Ordinance) shall be met on all new outdoor lighting fixtures and specified lighting practices installed and or implemented after that date. Voluntary compliance is urged for all outdoor lighting fixtures that were in existence prior to the July 2008 date. It should also be noted there are 5 exemptions to the regulations. They are (1) emergency equipment while in use (2) holiday decorations excluding search lights or stroboscopic lights (3) decorative fixtures or porch lights or walkway lighting (4)solar or fossil fuel combustion lights that do not create a glare, and (5) lighting fixtures to illuminate the American Flag provided they are properly aimed and shielded.
The Township is now in the process of shielding or replacing all of its site lighting at the Township Hall, Office Building, the two fire Stations, the compactor, and the parks. Also any street lights at those locations.
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage property owners and the boards or committees of residential complexes to review for compliance any outdoor site lighting or street lights they may have. If someone has a question concerning their existing exterior lighting or any proposed new exterior lighting as to if it meets the ordinance requirements. I will be more that happy to help you in this matter.
One of the most numerous types of outdoor lights found in the Township is the so called security yard (barn) light. (See photo) These lights usually have mercury vapor or metal halite bulbs in them with a translucent lens. As stated earlier, these lights can remain until such time as the fixture needs to be replaced, and then the new one shall comply with the ordinance. In the mean time, however, they can be made more compliant by installing a shield on them. Again, please call me at 223-7318 and I will be happy to help you find a source to purchase one of these shields.
Click here to view a copy of the Zoning Ordinance with amendments through August 31, 2009 (through Amendment #184). Amendments passed after August 31, 2009 are not incorporated in this version. Click HERE to view Zoning Ordinance Amendments September 1, 2009 to September 5, 2018 (Amendments #185 - #195).
Click here to view figure 6-1 (Deck Height) & Deck Profiles (Amendment 140).
Click here to view examples of how to measure lot width.
Click here to view Figure 1 (Cul-de-sac).
Click here to view Figure 2A (Road Bed Cross Section).
Click here to view Figure 2B (Curb Detail).
Dark Night Sky Memo
With the summer months just around the corner, its time to start anticipating those beautiful clear night skys and star gazing trying to find the big and little dippers. In order to preserve this annual ritual, I’m sure that you are aware by now that in July 2008 the Township adopted an amendment to our Zoning Ordinance regarding Exterior Lighting Regulations (Dark Night Sky Ordinance).
In brief, the adopted regulations (See Sec. 7.14 of the Zoning Ordinance) shall be met on all new outdoor lighting fixtures and specified lighting practices installed and or implemented after that date. Voluntary compliance is urged for all outdoor lighting fixtures that were in existence prior to the July 2008 date. It should also be noted there are 5 exemptions to the regulations. They are (1) emergency equipment while in use (2) holiday decorations excluding search lights or stroboscopic lights (3) decorative fixtures or porch lights or walkway lighting (4)solar or fossil fuel combustion lights that do not create a glare, and (5) lighting fixtures to illuminate the American Flag provided they are properly aimed and shielded.
The Township is now in the process of shielding or replacing all of its site lighting at the Township Hall, Office Building, the two fire Stations, the compactor, and the parks. Also any street lights at those locations.
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage property owners and the boards or committees of residential complexes to review for compliance any outdoor site lighting or street lights they may have. If someone has a question concerning their existing exterior lighting or any proposed new exterior lighting as to if it meets the ordinance requirements. I will be more that happy to help you in this matter.
One of the most numerous types of outdoor lights found in the Township is the so called security yard (barn) light. (See photo) These lights usually have mercury vapor or metal halite bulbs in them with a translucent lens. As stated earlier, these lights can remain until such time as the fixture needs to be replaced, and then the new one shall comply with the ordinance. In the mean time, however, they can be made more compliant by installing a shield on them. Again, please call me at 223-7318 and I will be happy to help you find a source to purchase one of these shields.
Zoning Ordinance Re-write
Earlier this year the Township Board authorized a complete rewriting of the Township’s Zoning Ordinance. To date, staff has reorganized the existing language into a new format without altering any of the actual language from each section. To continue progress with the creation of a new ordinance, staff has begun organizing and conducting meetings throughout the community to gather input on potential areas of the ordinance which should be amended. Key outreach groups include but are not limited to the Wine Owners of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP), Protect the Peninsula Citizens Group, and other local constituents (i.e. Park Commission, Fire Department, etc.).
Attached to this document is a copy of a proposed schedule for both the general public and staff to keep focus of the tasks at hand. This organizational chart should also help the Planning Commission to accomplish the goal of the ordinance’s rewrite in a timely fashion. Over the upcoming year’s worth of work this schedule may need to be amended; however, with it in place members of the community will have a tentative schedule to which they may refer to and keep touch with when concerning items are scheduled for discussion throughout the Township.
Presentation of each of the following topics will take place through multiple mediums over the course of the next year. Staff will be organizing “workshops” on a monthly basis to initiate discussion with the general public for each of the outlined subjects. After community input has been gathered for each topic, staff will then present the results of each “workshop” to the Planning Commission for their review. A draft language would then be developed and later presented to the P.C., discussed, amended if necessary, and then reviewed by the Township’s legal counsel. Once approved by both legal counsel and the PC, staff would then place that subject into the overall rewritten zoning ordinance and move to the next topic for discussion.
It is likely that several items could be under discussion at the same time with various portions of the community, but before any language is drafted, staff and the PC would have already given the general public at least two (2) separate forums to discuss the issues at hand. Community support is crucial for these new regulations to be adopted by the Township Board. It is staff’s opinion that with the proposed presentation schedule the amendment process will bring forth a document which will serve the public interests efficiently, effectively, and gather support for its inception.
Thank you again for the time to address this issue and if there should there be any questions, concerns or comments regarding the issues at hand, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (231) 223-7314.
Randy Mielnik; Peninsula Township Director of Planning & Zoning
Pending Amendments
Proposed Gift Shop Amendment
Planners report regarding Shoreline meetings
Residential Zoning Districts Discussion – (Topics & Various Land Use Options)
Creation of the Site Plan Review Article, New Items, & Procedural Discussion
Earlier this year the Township Board authorized a complete rewriting of the Township’s Zoning Ordinance. To date, staff has reorganized the existing language into a new format without altering any of the actual language from each section. To continue progress with the creation of a new ordinance, staff has begun organizing and conducting meetings throughout the community to gather input on potential areas of the ordinance which should be amended. Key outreach groups include but are not limited to the Wine Owners of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP), Protect the Peninsula Citizens Group, and other local constituents (i.e. Park Commission, Fire Department, etc.).
Attached to this document is a copy of a proposed schedule for both the general public and staff to keep focus of the tasks at hand. This organizational chart should also help the Planning Commission to accomplish the goal of the ordinance’s rewrite in a timely fashion. Over the upcoming year’s worth of work this schedule may need to be amended; however, with it in place members of the community will have a tentative schedule to which they may refer to and keep touch with when concerning items are scheduled for discussion throughout the Township.
Presentation of each of the following topics will take place through multiple mediums over the course of the next year. Staff will be organizing “workshops” on a monthly basis to initiate discussion with the general public for each of the outlined subjects. After community input has been gathered for each topic, staff will then present the results of each “workshop” to the Planning Commission for their review. A draft language would then be developed and later presented to the P.C., discussed, amended if necessary, and then reviewed by the Township’s legal counsel. Once approved by both legal counsel and the PC, staff would then place that subject into the overall rewritten zoning ordinance and move to the next topic for discussion.
It is likely that several items could be under discussion at the same time with various portions of the community, but before any language is drafted, staff and the PC would have already given the general public at least two (2) separate forums to discuss the issues at hand. Community support is crucial for these new regulations to be adopted by the Township Board. It is staff’s opinion that with the proposed presentation schedule the amendment process will bring forth a document which will serve the public interests efficiently, effectively, and gather support for its inception.
Thank you again for the time to address this issue and if there should there be any questions, concerns or comments regarding the issues at hand, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at (231) 223-7314.
Randy Mielnik; Peninsula Township Director of Planning & Zoning
Pending Amendments
Proposed Gift Shop Amendment
Planners report regarding Shoreline meetings
Residential Zoning Districts Discussion – (Topics & Various Land Use Options)
Creation of the Site Plan Review Article, New Items, & Procedural Discussion