Duluth City Council Allows Safe Bay to Resume Operations

DULUTH, Minn. – City councilors affirm a permit for the ‘Safe Bay’ lot at the Vineyard Church, allowing operations to continue.

At a Special Meeting on Thursday, the Duluth City Council voted 6-0 to affirm a permit that was issued for the ‘Safe Bay’ lot at the Vineyard Church. Safe Bay was forced to cease operations after a May 23 appeal of the permit was filed by owners of neighboring properties. The council’s latest vote clears the way for the lot to continue service.

Safe Bay “is a program that offers secure overnight parking for people who are living in their vehicles,” according to Stepping on Up, the organization behind the concept. Resources include access to showers, WiFi, and assistance with finding permanent housing. The Vineyard Church on W Arrowhead Road opened its back lot to Safe Bay, which is staffed by CHUM and Stepping on Up.

In the appeal letter, attorney Brenda Miller stated multiple concerns from neighbors and claimed the city violated the permit-issuing process. Neighbors at the meeting said the “snow fencing” and foliage do not fully separate the lot from their properties.

While opinions on the permit at Thursday’s special meeting differed, the existence of a Safe Bay was broadly accepted. “I also want to address the concern, that we don’t care about people’s safety,” said Heather Jellum one of the neighbors appealing the permit, “The Safe Bay program participants are now my neighbors. I am concerned for their safety.”

A volunteer from Safe Bay, Sandra Hoffman, spoke to the council, “If you feel justice is best served by denying this permit, please recommend a feasible path forward for Safe Bay and the guests we serve.” Hoffman said, “The guests I have met are as varied as you and me. Some work full-time creating outdoor event spaces that tourists love to experience…They deliver the food that you order and the packages that you wait for.”