Denny's manager tells Lake City Council encampment next to restaurant is driving customers away

Renee Decker, who identified herself as general manager of the Lake City Denny's, told the council an active encampment next to the restaurant is creating a first impression that is discouraging customers and making employees uncomfortable.

"When customers pull in off of the highways to eat, the first thing they see is an active encampment," Decker said. "This is not about criticizing individuals experiencing homelessness... but it's also not reasonable for a local business to carry the impact of unmanaged conditions right next to their property." She said her company owns the open property adjacent to the restaurant but does not know who owns the abandoned gas-station parcel where the encampment is centered.

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about ownership and code-enforcement options. A city staff member explained the administrative process: staff can document conditions, contact property owners, and request trespass enforcement or cleanup; owners can request that individuals be trespassed and the city can pursue cleanup under code enforcement procedures.

Council members expressed willingness to have code enforcement investigate and acknowledged the issue may take time because of notice periods and property-owner responses. The manager said she has photos and videos documenting the encampment and asked for a coordinated response that could include outreach services, regular monitoring or enforcement.

Next steps: staff said they would look up property ownership and send code enforcement to document conditions and contact owners; council members asked staff to pursue cleanup options while being mindful of outreach and humanitarian considerations.