ATHENS, Ga. — Proposed restrictions on public camping and food preparation by College Square street vendors headline the agenda as the Athens-Clarke County Commission meets Tuesday night.
The rights-of-way proposal would amend the county’s existing ordinance to prohibit camping in certain public areas, primarily affecting homeless people.
Commissioners voted down the proposal 6-4 on Aug. 4. During a September meeting of the Rights-of-Way Use Ad Hoc Committee, Mayor Kelly Girtz amended the proposed language to specifically address improper use of transportation corridors in and adjacent to commercial zones.
The mayor and commission pledged $1 million toward developing temporary emergency housing. They also requested that an Athens-Clarke County Police Department Behavioral Health Unit co-responder team be assigned downtown to help address homelessness there.
Another contentious proposal up for a vote Tuesday night at City Hall would change the street vendors ordinance.
Written by the Athens Downtown Development Authority, the proposal recommends eliminating on-site cooking and food preparation in the newly renovated College Square. The proposed language reads, “Street sales of food and beverages within College Square shall be limited to prepackaged foods and beverages. On-site cooking and on-site food or beverage preparation are prohibited in street merchant-assigned locations within College Square.”
Commissioners were divided over getting rid of downtown street vendors at their Sept. 15 meeting, when members of the public spoke on both sides of the proposal.
Other items the mayor and commission could approve include naming the East Broad Street Bridge over the North Oconee River Weaver D’s Bridge, design plans for the new downtown judicial center, and a continued commercial leasing agreement with the Smoker’s Den on College Avenue.
The regular session begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the ACCGov YouTube page and the ACCGov website.
This article appears in partnership with WUGA News
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