Traverse City planning commissioners moved forward with two key proposals last night that have generated significant community discussion, sending both a revised emergency shelter ordinance and a plan to test restriping Eighth Street to the city commission for approval. 

Emergency Shelter Ordinance
A proposal by Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse to use a city-owned warehouse on Wellington Street for an emergency homeless shelter prompted a nearly four-month review by a planning commission subcommittee.

Under the city's current zoning code, homeless and emergency shelters are not listed as a permitted use or as a discretionary use in any zoning district. Planning commissioners voted 5-3 last night to overhaul the ordinance to allow such shelters to operate in 10 city districts by special land-use permit, requiring a minimum of two public hearings at the planning and city commission levels for approval. The shelters would not be permitted in the downtown district or in residential zoning districts.

Several residents spoke against the ordinance during the meeting, citing concerns that Safe Harbor and other organizations could open shelters close to their neighborhoods. Commissioners Michael Dow and John Serratelli also expressed concerns about a stipulation that allows for a 100-bed maximum in shelters, with Serratelli calling the figure “much too dense.” Both commissioners voted against the ordinance, along with Commissioner Bill Twietmeyer.

Other members of the public, however, voiced support for the ordinance. “We're talking about people...who need a break, who need a place to stay,” said resident Tom Emmott. “This (kind of) shelter would provide that.” Commissioner Jeanine Easterday also said the city needed to be proactive in finding homelessness solutions: “We have to lead the way...this particular population has been neglected and ignored and disenfranchised by the city.”

The revised emergency shelter ordinance will now head to the city commission for approval.

Eighth Street Restriping/Design Charrette
A petition from more than 90 residents to experimentally restripe Eighth Street between Woodmere and Lake Avenues could become a reality after planning commissioners unanimously approved testing a redesign as soon as this summer.

The proposal recommends converting the corridor to three automobile lanes and two bike lanes on a trial basis in advance of a planned 2018 reconstruction of the road. The proposed “road diet” had been recommended by urban planning experts as well as the city's Corridors Master Plan as a way to calm traffic and make the street more inviting and pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.

A draft timeline by City Planning Director Russ Soyring recommends restriping the road in August, with the trial configuration to be evaluated for one year. The evaluation period would be followed by public input sessions to determine whether the new configuration should be kept or discarded in favor of the road's former design (or an alternate design).

Numerous residents and business owners spoke in favor of the proposal, with petition organizer Mike Coco describing the restriping as a chance to create a “change in character for the street.” Commissioners also strongly favored taking action versus creating more studies or models that might not accurately mirror real-life conditions on the road. “Let's do something as soon as possible," said Commissioner Jan Warren, "if the city commission will allow it, so we can see how it works and what the impact is."

The proposal now moves to the city commission for approval. The planning department will also concurrently consider applying for a Michigan State Housing Development Authority grant this fall to conduct a design charrette on the Eighth Street corridor.