The Longmont City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday night against a controversial ordinance that would have banned sitting and lying down in commercial districts, with Councilmembers Matthew Popkin, Aren Rodriguez, Shiquita Yarbrough and Susie Hidalgo-Fahring opposed, and councilmembers Diane Crist, Sean McCoy, and Mayor Joan Peck in favor.
The ordinance, introduced in June but delayed several times, was backed by the city’s public safety staff. It had drawn strong criticism from nonprofit leaders and residents who said it would unfairly target unhoused people while failing to solve the problems it aimed to address.
The ordinance would have prohibited people from “sitting, kneeling, reclining or lying” on public rights-of-way in several areas of the city, including Main Street, Hover Street, Ken Pratt Boulevard and downtown.” The ordinance would only apply during the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m…