The Stayton City Council has passed an ordinance banning camping on all city property except a few undeveloped parcels, amid broad support for tight restrictions on public camping.
The ordinance was passed July 17 in response to House Bill 3115, which requires cities to set aside public land for camping if they are to enforce camping bans elsewhere.
The new ordinance allows camping at a limited number of undeveloped, city-owned parcels at the south end of N. Oak Avenue, near W. Maple Street and S. Evergreen Avenue, and near E. Pine Street and 28th Avenue. Camping is allowed only between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
The ordinance otherwise bans camping at all city-owned facilities and rights-of-way, and on all developed parks without a camping permit from the city. The new rules go into effect Aug. 16. They replace a current policy that bans camping on all public property.
The ban follows a recommendation from the city’s Homeless Task Force and an outpouring of community support for camping bans in public areas. A survey by the city showed residents overwhelmingly opposed camping in public parks and rights-of-way. The first reading of the ordinance June 19 had numerous individuals speak in favor of the proposal.
Officials said they believed HB 3115 was unnecessary overreach from Salem. They said they wanted to pass something that would conform with the rule, but would also make it harder to be homeless in Stayton long-term.
“Those parks are for the citizens of Stayton and I feel wrong taking away those areas from the citizens,” said Councilor Steve Sims, who preferred finding industrial land to designate for camping.
“I am a firm believer that it’s not compassionate to let people wallow in places,” said Councilor Jordan Ohrt.
“How can we find something that’s workable that makes it very difficult to be houseless in this community?” asked Councilor David Giglio.
The council approved the ordinance 3-2 June 19, with Ohrt and Giglio the “no” votes, stating they felt the proposal needed to be refined. Because the vote was not unanimous, the ordinance was scheduled for a second reading July 17.
At that time, Giglio introduced the daytime camping restrictions to further limit the viability of long-term camping. Sims said a daytime ban requiring homeless people to move their camps would “make it painful to stay in Stayton and will drive folks out.”
The amended ordinance passed 3-1, with Ohrt absent and Councilor Ben McDonald opposed. He expressed concerns that a daytime ban may not actually force homeless campers from Stayton but may compel them to wander through town during the day and create a public nuisance.
Now the Homeless Task Force will consider potential refinements to the rules. During a meeting July 10, they discussed potential time limits on days spent camping, the possibility of allowing camping on undeveloped rights-of-way, and other potential revisions.
The task force also discussed concerns that a policy with too many rules may require too many police resources to enforce. Police Chief Gwen Johns told the task force that a policy which is less vague will help her officers with enforcement.
The new rules are expected to impact a relatively small number of homeless people living in Stayton. According to a point-in-time count conducted in January, 10 homeless people were found in the city.
The point-in-time count was conducted by the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance as part of a program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Alliance Chair Jeremy Gordon told Our Town that blanket camping restrictions move the problem out of view but do not create a solution.
“Homelessness is rising in every community in Oregon and all leaders should take responsibility towards exploring solutions,” said Gordon.
