As a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) application process stretches on for Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse to use a city-owned warehouse at 517 Wellington Street as an emergency homeless shelter, City Manager Jered Ottenwess says "it has become clear that it is not possible for Safe Harbor to operate at the property during the 2014-15 winter season."

As part of ongoing lease discussions between the city and Safe Harbor, and the anticipation Safe Harbor will continue to operate emergency shelters at participating churches within city limits this winter during such discussions, Ottenwess and other city staff met with Safe Harbor representatives this past week to formalize a "Life Safety Plan" for each involved church. The Life Safety Plan, to be coordinated with the Traverse City Fire Department, will include a designation of a Life Safety Liaison for Safe Harbor; evaluation of existing locations/facilities; inspection schedules throughout the season at each location; fire protection systems in place; life safety training for Safe Harbor volunteers; and a Safety and Emergency Response Manual formalizing the plan.

"Working together to ensure adequate fire protection systems are in place, and the clients you serve are safe, are our primary concerns," Ottenwess wrote in a memo to Safe Harbor representatives Monday. "We thank you for your continued efforts to provide emergency shelter for the population experiencing homelessness in our community."