A committee of Athens-Clarke County officials met Tuesday to review ordinances related to people and objects blocking sidewalks and other public areas.

As Committee finalizes new code, Commissioners circle back to intent

Currently, the “public right-of-way” is defined in county code as sidewalks, streets, and roads. Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz asked the committee earlier this year to reconsider how to regulate people using the public right-of-way to sit, lie down, or store objects.

In a meeting in early October, Girtz said that current ordinances related to the issue leave residents vulnerable to injury.

“You don’t want somebody’s Doc Marten’s coming into contact with somebody’s jaw, nor a bicycle tire, nor the tire of a car,” he said.

On Tuesday, county officials and commi

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