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Public split as Astoria council seeks criteria for a designated campsite for people experiencing homelessness
Summary
Council solicited a simple yes/no from the public on whether to pursue a designated campsite; speakers were divided. Supporters said a managed site with sanitation and services would reduce harms and meet legal obligations; opponents raised safety, site selection, enforcement and neighborhood impacts. Council directed staff to collect criteria and proposed a decision timetable in April–May.
The City Council devoted substantial time on March 16 to public input about whether Astoria should establish a designated, managed campsite for people experiencing homelessness. Council framed the item as a short yes/no question and limited initial comments to one minute; it followed that with a separate public-input period focused on what criteria the council should use to evaluate potential sites.
Public responders were split. Supporters pointed to legal constraints under Oregon law about forcing people to move when shelter capacity is insufficient, urged the city to provide water, toilets, trash service and access to outreach, and emphasized the harm of repeated sweeps. Theresa Barnes said the city counts roughly 101 shelter beds and that a designated site would help the city comply with state requirements and provide services. Several speakers said that a well‑run site with rules and on‑site services could help residents stabilize and access housing supports.
Opponents worried about safety, enforcement and neighborhood impacts; several asked that any site be far from downtown and tourist areas and that the council ensure enforcement of no‑camping rules elsewhere if a managed site exists. One commenter raised concerns about domestic‑violence restraining orders and the potential for conflicting neighbors if camps are consolidated.
On site criteria, participants repeatedly recommended ADA accessibility and proximity to services (transit, showers, laundry, grocery and behavioral‑health supports), adequate drainage and utility hookups, fenced and patrollable perimeters, clearly defined ingress/egress, and capacity large enough to meet immediate needs or to be expandable. Staff outlined a draft road map if council chooses to proceed: affirm criteria April 6, ask staff to identify candidate sites and return site analyses April 20, consider final direction May 4 and schedule an ordinance/public‑hearing step in mid‑May.
Council did not make a final decision on whether to create a managed campsite; instead it asked staff to synthesize the community’s criteria and return with site options based on the council’s direction.
