Athens-Clarke County Officials Tackle Public Space Usage with New Ordinance Amendment
The Athens-Clarke County (ACC) Mayor and Commission recently convened to address a significant amendment to an existing ordinance concerning the use of public spaces. This amendment aims to clarify what constitutes interference in these areas, with potential implications for the local unhoused population.
During the meeting, the amendment was discussed as Item 11 on the agenda. It seeks to provide clearer definitions for right of way use in public spaces, a move that could impact those living without permanent shelter.
Commissioner Dexter Fisher emphasized that the amendment is not intended to target the homeless community. “This is not to criminalize our homeless population,” he stated. “However though, I think that those businesses downtown and other places in Athens should not have their business impeded because somebody is sleeping in their doorstep.”
Commissioner Tiffany Taylor, representing District 3, highlighted the importance of involving the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) in this discourse, as they will be responsible for enforcing the amended regulations. She stressed the need for compassion in the process, saying, “At the end of the day it’s about the people and a lot of them have mental health issues or just fell on hard times and have nowhere to go and I just want us to be mindful to not just fill our jails up with unhoused residents because we don’t wanna look at them.”
The amendment received unanimous support from all commissioners present, reflecting a collective commitment to balancing business interests with the needs of the unhoused.
