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Grants Pass council narrows authorized camping sites, orders J Street closed within 72 hours and limits 7th Street hours
Summary
After months of debate and large public turnout, council voted to remove J Street as an authorized resting site and to limit operations at the 7th Street resting site to overnight hours.
The Grants Pass City Council adopted a resolution changing the city's designated 'resting' and camping locations, voting to close the J Street temporary site within 72 hours and to restrict the hours at the 7th Street site to evening and overnight use.
City staff briefed council on the two temporary resting sites established under the city's time, place and manner ordinance: the smaller Northeast 7th Street site (described in staff materials as having one standard and one accessible porta-potty plus a hand-washing station and trash service) and the larger J Street site (two service runs per day for multiple porta-potties, hand-washing stations, dumpsters and added camera/security patrols). Staff emphasized the sites were intended to be temporary; the J Street parcel is also needed for the city's planned water treatment plant in coming construction seasons.
Public comment drew several dozen speakers. Supporters of the sites and of nonprofit providers (including volunteers and medical providers) urged the council not to close J Street without a replacement plan, citing counts of tents and residents, evidence of people receiving case management at the sites, and the risk that removing the sites would scatter people into parks, streets and cars. Several speakers described muddy or flooded conditions at J Street, limited hygiene access but urgent need for the sites to offer stability and access to services. Business owners and area residents pressed the council to address crime, loitering and safety concerns near the 220 Redwood corridor and J Street properties.
Councilor Dwayne moved to close J Street within 72 hours and to limit hours at Northeast 7th Street to 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Council then voted on the motions; both measures passed by a 5-2 margin. Following the vote, councilors said the J Street closure and 7th Street hour changes would require staff follow-up on how to operationalize enforcement and where daytime needs would be directed.
Staff presentation noted current site amenities and operational costs (porta-potty servicing, dumpsters, hand-washing stations, extra security patrols and camera monitoring). In public comment physicians and volunteers representing MINT, PATH, AllCare and other nonprofits argued that removal would interrupt access to Medicaid-funded services and case management. Others — including nearby business owners — said persistent criminal activity and encampment conditions had harmed commerce and safety.
The council's action is immediate: J Street must be cleared within 72 hours of notification and 7th Street hours are limited as directed. Staff will return with implementation steps, including details for outreach and where people will be referred for daytime support. The council directed staff to report back and to coordinate with county and nonprofit partners on transition plans.
Because the two resting sites were part of the city's temporary, resolution-based site program under Ordinance No. 24-5910, council emphasized future changes to time, place and manner should be handled by resolution when new sites are considered. The council also left open the possibility of future site identification in workshops and directed staff to bring options for alternative sites and operational details in follow-up reports.
