Wilmington City Council passes amended camping ordinance by 5-2 vote

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –The Wilmington City Council has approved the first reading of an amended camping ordinance during its first meeting at the Skyline Center. The measure passed 5-2, with Council members Salette Andrews and Kevin Spears voting against it.

The original proposal, introduced last month by Councilman Luke Waddell, would have made it a Class 3 misdemeanor to camp or sleep on city property. After pushback from residents and service providers, the amended version reduces the penalty to an infraction instead of a misdemeanor. It also allows people to sleep in their cars on city property.

A section stating that city parking decks and surface lots could only be used for “parking and associated activities” was removed.

Waddell says supporters, including Wilmington Downtown Inc., want to ordinance to help address concerns raised by businesses and residents.

“I’ve heard directly from WDI about the feedback they’ve gotten from downtown business owners,” Waddell said. “I believe all of you were sent an email, an official email from Wilmington Downtown Inc supporting the proposed ordinance tonight. Their concerns obviously were a major driver and a big part of why this ordinance is in front of us today.”

Opponents argue the measure unfairly targets people experiencing homelessness.

“The people who are most directly impacted by it have said that it is deeply harmful to them,” said Sarah Moxley, a former service provider. “Our local service providers came up with a list of alternative solutions that would be impactful and positive and they have all said that this ordinance would be devastating for that community and not be effective in what it is claiming to accomplish.”

The ordinance must be read a second time before it can take effect. Council is expected to revisit it at its next meeting.