By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
The McKinney City Council voted last Tuesday to approve two new ordinances restricting public sleeping and camping within city limits, after a meeting marked by emotional testimony from residents, property owners, and advocates for people experiencing homelessness.
The council voted 6–1 to adopt the first measure and 5–2 to adopt the second, with Councilmembers Michael Jones and Justin Beller voting no. City officials said the changes give police “tools in the toolbox” to address safety and sanitation issues downtown, while opponents warned they would effectively criminalize poverty.
What the Ordinances Do
The first ordinance, “Physical Occupancy within Downtown Public Spaces,” makes it unlawful to sleep or lie down on downtown sidewalks, medians, parkways, or pedestrian rights-of-way.
Assistant City Manager Jennifer Arnold explained that it targets “sleeping or lying down in public spaces … anything that is not meant to be sat on.” She said benches and other seating remain allowed and that the rule “does not prohibit someone from enjoying a public park or a parade or a special event.”
Arnold added that the measure includes a one-year sunset clause “so that we can monitor how its enforcement is going and how it’s working or not working at the council’s discretion.”
The second ordinance revises the city’s existing camping restrictions. It prohibits sleeping overnight in a vehicle on city-owned parking lots or public rights-of-way, but allows people to sleep in their cars on private commercial property if the owner permits it.
Arnold said the update “clarifies and adds to the definition of camping the idea of sleeping in a vehicle overnight,” while creating a “special carve-out … to allow folks to be able to sleep in their vehicles on a private parking lot.” The ordinance also makes property owners liable if they “knowingly allow somebody to camp on their property in violation of the code.”
Both ordinances will be reviewed after one year.
Council Discussion
Supporters framed the ordinances as public-safety measures designed to address downtown fire hazards, vandalism, and health concerns.
Councilmember Patrick Cloutier, who introduced both motions, said, “These ordinances have reasons why they’re here. What I want is a safe city … a downtown that is very attractive to people … that they feel safe when they’re there.” He described the measures as “tools in the toolbox” that could be repealed if they proved ineffective.
Councilmember Rick Franklin cited repeated complaints from business owners and said the ordinances respond to “a real need that we keep hearing from the community.” Mayor Pro Tem Geré Feltus also supported passage, saying the changes balance compassion with accountability.
Councilmember Michael Jones said he agreed with the intent to keep public areas safe but cautioned against “selective enforcement” and stressed that individuals should be “connected to resources, not just cited.” Councilmember Justin Beller also voted no, voicing concern that the ordinances might displace people without offering clear alternatives.
The final vote was 5–2.
Public Testimony
Dozens of residents, advocates, and business owners spoke during the public-comment period.
Paul Ballesteros, founder of Emmanuel Labor, urged the council to reject the ordinances, saying they “suggest ignorance, not unintelligence … it may please 99 percent of the population, but we can actually have a verifiable goal that’s positive for 100 percent.”
Molly Brown, a McKinney resident, argued that criminalizing sleeping in cars or tents “punishes being poor … when you criminalize being visibly poor, it is a quick ticket to ending up dead or being shuffled from jail cell to jail cell.”
Heather Molsbee, of The Samaritan Inn, warned the new rules could strain local resources. “Enacting those ordinances adds yet another undue and unfunded burden to our police, jail system, and hospitals … when there are not enough resources for them to navigate or make referrals to,” she said.
Supporters cited safety and property concerns. Kimberly Christensen, a downtown landlord, told the council, “Without me showing up, the police cannot remove the flames because they come and cook … I can’t handle fire.”
Resident Leslie Warren added, “The word has gotten out that we are very generous and we’re getting more than our fair share of homeless coming to our city … I simply ask you to support these ordinances.”
Next Steps
Both ordinances take effect once published in the city’s official records and will return for review within a year. The council also adopted the “Better Together Initiative,” a resolution aimed at improving coordination among McKinney’s housing and outreach agencies.
Officials described the measures as steps to balance public order with continued evaluation of homelessness policies.
For continued coverage of McKinney City Council actions, visit TX3DNews.com.