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Commission debates right-of-way ordinance changes aimed at obstructions, homelessness; asks for locker program options
Summary
Commissioners revised language to clarify 'interference' with public right-of-way and debated potential effects on people experiencing homelessness; committee recommended exemptions and a shortened abandonment period and asked staff to research community-led locker programs and budget options.
Athens-Clarke County commissioners discussed amendments to the code that would clarify what constitutes interference with public right-of-way and add explicit exemptions to reduce the risk of criminalizing benign public activities.
The ad hoc committee's proposed language tightens the standard for obstructive conduct and shortens the time before personal property in the right-of-way is considered abandoned; committee members said the draft reflects input from the Athens Homeless Coalition. "There's a warning for a first offense," Commissioner Myers said, adding that the ordinance is intended to give officers discretion and is not meant to criminalize people casually sitting or talking downtown.
Committee members and commissioners also urged pairing any code change with services. Commissioner Davenport urged faith-based and nonprofit participation in a proposed locker pilot and warned against treating homelessness primarily as a criminal matter. Commissioners requested staff provide budget estimates and locations for a locker program and pledged to pursue partnerships rather than full county financing where possible.
No final vote on ordinance text occurred at this session; commissioners asked staff for material on proposed exceptions, the abandonment timeframe, and community partner options for a locker pilot to be discussed in a future agenda item.
