Text and interview by Cristin Popelier
Photography by Barbara Overdier
Background on the Preservation of Scenic Views
One of the goals in Peninsula Township's Master Plan is to preserve prime agricultural land, scenic views and local character. As a result of survey, that indicated that residents of the Township strongly favor limiting development, preserving agriculture, maintaining the historic areas and preserving scenic views, the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Programs was proposed and adopted.
Peninsula Township, in response to its citizens, adopted a number of different tools to aid in the preservation initiative, including:
- Economic Tools: to preserve agricultural land through the Purchase of Development Rights, state purchased easements, conservancy purchases and American Farmland Trust purchases
- Regulatory Tools: Plan Unit Development and Special Use Permits, Zoning Ordinance and agricultural clustering
A sense of place is created by the panoramic views of the Peninsula, which overlook agricultural acreage interspersed with uncultivated fields and mature stands of deciduous and coniferous trees. The framing of many of these views with the sight of clean, open bay waters creates a spectacularly spacious effect. The fact that in many areas existing residential development is shielded from general view by trees or by placement in lower shoreline areas allows both the impression and to some extent, the reality, of low density vista.
For more information visit Peninsula Township Master Plan: http://www.peninsulatownship.com/planning/masterplan.pdf 
![Cristin Popelier of LIAA interviews Gordon Hayward, Peninsula Township Planner. [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/magazine/gordon_large.jpg', 'Cristin Popelier of LIAA interviews Gordon Hayward, Peninsula Township Planner.',278,182));)
