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Council amends camping ordinance to expand prohibitions; ordinance passes after extended debate
Summary
The council voted to approve amendments tightening definitions and expanding locations where camping is prohibited, including a 10‑day limit on private‑property temporary camping; the change drew sustained debate over effects on people living in vehicles and on private property.
An ordinance amending the city’s camping prohibitions (amending sections 9‑45, 3‑50 and 3‑60 of the Topeka Municipal Code) passed the Topeka City Council on Feb. 4 after extended discussion and public comment.
Council members Ricardo Valdivia Alcala and Jeff Dobler introduced and led the ordinance. The updated language tightens definitions, adds private‑property restrictions with a 10‑day limit for temporary camping on private parcels, and reduces certain buffer distances from 500 feet to 100 feet around public infrastructure in some provisions, sponsors said.…
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