Council approves public property camping ban in R.C.

Following the lead of other municipalities around the nation, the Rutherford College Town Council has adopted an amendment to its zoning ordinances aimed at preventing the occupancy of town property or facilities by homeless people.

Approval of the amendment came by a unanimous vote at the council’s regular May meeting on Monday night, following a presentation by Daniel Odom of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, who serves as the town planner.

Odom explained to the council that he set out to craft an amendment “focused on regulating the use of town-owned property rather than regulating individuals based on status.”

Odom elaborated, saying, “The proposed amendment is designed to clearly regulate the use of town-owned property when it is being used for living or overnight purposes. It does not regulate private property or target individuals based on personal status. Instead, it focuses specifically on how town-owned property may be used.”

Odom said the amendment was drawn up to be as specific as possible and includes the following definitions:

Camp or camping. The use of town-owned property for living accommodation purposes, including but not limited to sleeping or making preparations to sleep; laying down bedding or sleeping bags; storing personal belongings for prolonged periods; or placing or maintaining a tent or temporary shelter.

Town-owned property. Any real property owned by the Town of Rutherford College, including but not limited to parks, municipal buildings, facilities, rights of way, sidewalks, parking areas, and public grounds.

Temporary shelter. Any tent, tarp, or other structure or covering that provides complete or partial shelter from the elements.

Overnight parking or sleeping. The act of remaining in a parked vehicle or on town-owned property for the primary purpose of sleeping or residing overnight, whether within a vehicle or outside of a vehicle.

The amendment also makes clear that no person can be charged or fined for a first offense:

“No person shall be cited, charged, or otherwise penalized for a violation of this section unless they have first received an oral or written warning from a duly authorized law enforcement officer or Town employee directing them to cease the prohibited activity,” the amendment reads.

Homeless encampments or sleeping on town property has not been a serious issue in Rutherford College so far, Town Manager Jessica Bargsley explained, but the amendment provides clear guidelines for how to proceed should the issue arise in the future.

The council also approved an ordinance aimed at making it easier to investigate and limit the discharge of illicit materials into the municipal stormwater system.

Prohibited substances include but are not limited to: oil, antifreeze, chemicals, animal waste, paints, garbage, and litter.

The council will hold a budget workshop to consider the municipal budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 on Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Immediately after, the council will hold a closed session to discuss the job performance of the town manager.

The council will hold a public hearing on the budget at its regular meeting on Monday, June 1, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The council will adopt the new budget when that public hearing concludes.

Bargsley also reminded the council that the town’s annual Founders Day celebration will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Town Hall. Read more about the celebration on 14A.