Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Chapter 70 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) of the McKinney Code of Ordinances to Incorporate a New Article, Entitled "Article XII (Physical Occupancy within Downtown Public Spaces)"
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Safe and Secure Community
MEETING DATE: September 16, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Police Department
Code Services Department
City Attorney's Office
CONTACT: Jennifer Arnold, AICP, Assistant City Manager
Phillip Hubbard, Director of Code Services
Joe Ellenburg, Chief of Police
Jeremy Page, Assistant City Attorney
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
* Adoption of the proposed Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
* The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 70 (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions) of the McKinney Code of Ordinances to incorporate a new article, Article XII, pertaining to the physical occupancy of certain public rights-of-way and spaces.
* The ordinance aims to provide clear regulations that support a vibrant, accessible, and pedestrian-friendly urban core and includes specific exceptions to accommodate things like common public activities.
* As proposed, the following would be considered violations in the downtown area of McKinney:
o Sleeping outdoors
o Lying down on a street, sidewalk, median, parkway or pedestrian right-of-way, or any object therein
o Sitting on a street, median, or any object therein
* The proposed ordinance also includes the following exceptions:
o Medical emergencies
o Activities within a sidewalk lease area or parklet
o Special events
o Sitting on a chair, bench or other feature between one to three feet in height provided by the city or abutting private property owner
o Waiting in line for goods or services offered by a business or entity within the designated downtown area
* The ordinance also includes a provision for reconsideration by the City Council on or before September 16, 2026, and will expire if not extended.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
* On July 17, 2025, the...
Click here for full text