Latest news with #ordinance
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
San Jose leaders approve mayor's "Responsibility to Shelter" ordinance for unhoused
The San Jose City Council approved a controversial ordinance on homelessness at its regular meeting on Tuesday. It's called the "Responsibility to Shelter". Critics say it criminalizes homelessness, while supporters say it finally gives the city the tools it needs to meaningfully address the crisis. The approval of the ordinance signifies a major shift in policy. "Over here in Columbus Park, yeah, I'm the longest tenured resident," says Eugene Blackwell. He's been at the city's largest encampment for the past five years and says he's gone to temporary shelters in the past. Blackwell was back on the streets after he was unable to get permanent housing. "You know it's a hard transition because you get used to being indoors and you get used to being in a hotel room, then all at once you have to come back to the streets," he told CBS News Bay Area. Residents living in RVs on the streets of San Jose as of June 2025. CBS His home is a box truck. Blackwell said if he were to go into a temporary shelter again, he's worried the city might tow it. "You know you already gave up everything, and lost everything out here, so when you come back out here, there's pretty much nothing to come back to," he says. The "Responsibility to Shelter" ordinance requires unhoused residents to accept the offer of shelter if the city provides it. For the first two refusals, the unhoused person could be cited - and if they refuse three times in 18 months, they could be arrested. "Our expectation is that there will be intervention, including law enforcement intervention, if you repeatedly refuse an appropriate shelter placement," San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said Tuesday. Mahan said outreach workers would have discretion over whether to refer cases to police. The mayor said the idea isn't to criminalize homelessness, but instead use the tools at the city's disposal to get people the help they need. The ordinance has been endorsed by both the San Jose Police and Firefighters Unions as well as the Japantown Business Association. "The city is out of tools. We're asking our community to spend hundreds of millions of dollars building interim housing, converting motels, modular units. At some point we have to acknowledge that a small subset of folks on our streets simply are unable or unwilling to accept and benefit from what the city can do," Mahan said. For those like Eugene, the answer isn't that simple. "You know we didn't get out here alone, and we're not going to make it out of here alone. The mayor can't fix this problem alone, and neither can the citizens. We all have to work together," he said. The newly approved ordinance goes into effect on July 1st, but city staff said it could take anywhere from 60 to 90 days ramp up before any enforcement actions begin.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
City council eyeing changes to Sioux City fireworks ordinance
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — During Monday night's city council meeting, the city of Sioux City approved the first reading of changes that may soon be coming to the city's fireworks ordinance. The change would have the city's ordinance line up with the state of Iowa code on fireworks, expanding the number of hours fireworks can legally be discharged in Sioux City. 'We went from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., basically they moved it up to 9 a.m. July 3rd and July 4th,' Sioux City Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore said. 'So it's just complying with the state law.' The new state law will allow fireworks to go off between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. on July 3. Story continues below Top Story: 185th Air Refueling Wing welcomes new Commander with ceremony Lights & Sirens: Man denied new trial, sentenced for deadly rollover near Salix Sports: West Sioux boys soccer wins first-ever IHSAA State title with 2-1 OT win Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here If the day falls on a weekend, then additional nighttime hours may be added. Fireworks can be set off from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. on the Fourth of July On New Year's Eve into New Year's Day morning, fireworks may be set off from 9 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Is 200 feet enough? McKinney's new drive-thru ordinance sparks debate
In a 5-1 vote last week, the McKinney City Council approved a new ordinance: Drive-throughs and speaker boxes must now be at least 200 feet from single-family homes or residential zones. This is a big jump from the previous requirement of only 20 feet. There can be exceptions, but this would require a special permit. Rodney McDaniel has lived in the historic Wilcox neighborhood in McKinney since the mid 70s, and said over the years, it's changed a lot. "Through time, they've torn a lot of these houses down and then they sat on it until the time was right," he said. Now, a fast-food restaurant sits across from his house and the drive-through backs up to his neighbor's property. "She is right at it," he said. It doesn't bother him, but other neighbors said there have been some complaints about the noise coming from the speaker box. In total, 15 restaurants across the city are listed as "impacted locations." The impacted businesses can stay open as long as they don't stop operating for more than 12 months. If they want to expand, they'll need city approval.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Over 80 citations issued in Springfield's Upper Hill neighborhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield police shared photos of a neighborhood ordinance sweep that was held on Friday. The Springfield police ordinance unit conducted a 'park and walk' sweep near Bristol Street in the Upper Hill neighborhood. There were 46 ordinance citations, four parking tickets issued by police and 35 citations issued by code enforcement. Several tires were also found dumped at Wesson Park. Man arrested during police search at West Springfield barber shop Land maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner. The ordinance unit is encouraging residents to follow the city's 'Good Neighbor Handbook,' to avoid code enforcement violations. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NHK
09-05-2025
- NHK
Shizuoka Prefecture implements new rules for Mt. Fuji climbers
The central Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka, which has a trail to Mount Fuji, has enacted an ordinance amid risky behavior by some climbers. The new ordinance requires each hiker to pay an entrance fee of 4,000 yen, or about 28 dollars, to climb from the Shizuoka Prefecture side. It also restricts the hours during which hikers can pass through the entrance gates at the 5th station on the prefecture's three trails. The measures are designed to discourage overnight climbs and prevent accidents. The official opening of the climbing season on the Shizuoka side is scheduled for July 10. But many tourists were already visiting the fifth station of the Fujinomiya Trail two months before. A man in his 60s visiting from Fukuoka Prefecture with his wife said that he did not know about the new regulations, but he believes they are necessary as trekking can be fatal. Some hikers were seen climbing over a fence to proceed up the trail, despite it being officially closed. A challenge after the season opens will be ensuring that climbers follow the rules, as the ordinance carries no penalties. The prefecture has begun the operation of a registration system via a dedicated app that allows people to pay the entrance fee and complete other required steps in advance. As of 3 p.m. on Friday, 523 people had registered. People who try to climb Mount Fuji from the Yamanashi Prefecture side will also need to pay the same fee.
