City paves way for camps

The Shelton City Council on Tuesday began paving the way for community organizations to host temporary homeless encampments of up to 30 people, with a long list of rules and regulations.

In a 6-1 vote, the council moved the proposed code amendments to its action agenda at its meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 2. Council member James Boad cast the dissenting vote. The council members talked about the code amendment changes at a work session on March 22.

Under the proposed amendments, a community group could be permitted for an encampment on private property of up to 30 people for seven months, and after that could apply for a second seven months. A permit also would be available for a homeless encampments of six people or less, with most of the same rules and regulations.

The proposed rules include prohibiting firearms, illegal drugs, flames inside tents and minors without parents; bathrooms must be available around the clock, and a kitchen available at least three hours a day; and visual screening from the neighbors is required.

The encampment could not be run for profit, and would not be allowed on a vacant lot – it must contain a secondary use such as a business or home.

At Tuesday's meeting, City Manager Jeff Niten said he wanted to make it clear these are not proposed new laws, but proposed amendments to city code adopted in 2015 by the then-Shelton City Commission. The proposed changes also include amendments to the city's public nuisance codes last updated in 2013.

The proposed requirements would include an around-the-clock host, exterior lighting pointed downward, and a posted code of conduct. People with police warrants would not be allowed inside the camp.

The proposed amendment states "camping overnight on private property not specifically designated for camping, which lacks adequate sanitation facilities and public safety measures, creates a danger to public health, welfare and safety ... the Shelton City Council wishes to prohibit overnight camping when such activity creates a public nuisance."

The encampment would not be allowed to cause "material harm" to neighbors, who would be notified in advance of a proposed camp and have the chance to speak at a public hearing.

Niten highlighted several of the proposed rules for a camp. The camps would be required to comply with laws on drinking water connections, solid waste disposal, human waste, outdoor fires and burning, electrical systems and fire-resistant materials.

The amendments would change the phrase "religious organizations" to "community organization" throughout the code. A community group would be defined as "social work concentrating upon the organized development of community social welfare through the coordination of public and private agencies."

Like the other city codes the council is tweaking, the proposed changes are not designed to punish people, Niten said.

"The idea is to educate folks, and get them to comply," he said.