On September 2, 2025, Charlottesville City Council opted not to proceed at this time with an ordinance that would make it a misdemeanor to camp or store personal items on public property.
“The conversation went where I imagined it would go,” said City Manager Sam Sanders. “And I think ultimately, I think what’s important for me to make sure that I do in this moment is let’s make sure the facts are on the table about the work that the city is doing.”
Sanders took about 25 minutes on September 15 to lay out what the city has been doing since he took over the city’s top executive position in August 2023. Soon afterward, one of his first actions was to allow overnight camping in Market Street Park…