Title
Ordinance No. 16-13 creating a New Section 112 (Sitting or Lying Down in Commercial Districts) of Article 2 (Offenses Affecting Public Safety) of Chapter 9 (Public Offenses) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as Amended, Pertaining to Pedestrian Access to the Public Sidewalks and Rights-of-Way in Commercial Districts
Body
From:
Keith King, City Council Member, District 3
Tom Strand, City Council Member At Large
Summary:
The proposed ordinance would help ensure that the public rights of way in the downtown and Old Colorado City commercial areas are accessible to pedestrians by prohibiting sitting, kneeling, reclining or lying upon the surface of sidewalks, trails or other public rights-of-way and providing penalties for the violation thereof.
Previous Council Action:
An earlier version of an ordinance on this subject was introduced at Council's work session of August 24, 2015.
Background:
Councilmembers Keith King and Tom Strand, at the request of Mayor Suthers, have proposed a new City ordinance intended to maintain public rights-of-way for their designed purpose as thoroughfares for pedestrian, recreational and vehicular travel. The ordinance would prohibit people from sitting, lying, reclining or kneeling on streets, sidewalks, trails, and other structures in the right-of-way not intended for sitting, during certain times of the day and in defined areas of downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City.
Business owners, residents and visitors have complained about a growing number of people sitting and lying in the public right-of-way. The behavior impedes pathways, creating a safety hazard. In addition, use of the public right-of-way in a manner that is inconsistent with its intended purpose creates a perception of an unsafe environment that curtails visitation in these commercial districts. The proposed ordinance would promote public safety and economic vitality by ensuring that visitors have saf...
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