Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears complaints about camps at Jamestown Landing; staff proposes ordinance to bar camping on county property
Summary
Residents reported tents and alleged criminal histories among occupants at Jamestown Landing boat ramp; planning staff proposed Ordinance 2024-01 to prohibit camping on county property and recommended designating the landing a county park to limit residency by people with certain offense restrictions.
Planning and Codes Director James Shubert told the commissioners that staff had received complaints about people camping at Jamestown Landing/public boat ramp and recommended an ordinance (Ordinance 2024‑01) to prohibit camping on county property.
Two residents, Dennis Strickland (2549 Pebble Hill Road) and Diane Peagler (5475 Jamestown Road), described tents at the landing and said they were concerned about who was staying there. Peagler, a widow who lives within roughly 150–200 feet of the tents, told the board she had heard the occupants were convicted sex offenders and said she is now afraid to sit outside. Strickland said he is concerned about the absence of toilets and nighttime activity.
Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog said designating the landing as a county park could change residency restrictions: persons with certain offense‑based residence restrictions cannot live within 1,000 feet of a park, school or church. Director Shubert said the county’s recreation department already mows the site and staff recommended adding the ordinance to the regular‑meeting agenda for formal consideration.
