Kyle seeks to create ordinance centered on prevention of camping, begging

In light of the recent anti-camping ordinance passed in Austin on May 1, Kyle officials discussed advancing a similar ordinance for their city.

Council Member Yvonne Flores-Cale brought the agenda item forward during City Council’s May 18 meeting.

After researching surrounding cities’ ordinances, Flores-Cale said Kyle is in a good position to be proactive and “create an environment where everyone can feel safe and secure.”

Flores-Cale said it would be wise to adopt components of similar ordinances in New Braunfels, San Marcos and Rollingwood that ban camping, begging and panhandling, and added in her view the ban should apply to all areas of the city.

“My goal is to always look at other cities that have the same issues and kind of learn from them,” she said.

City staff will work with the Kyle Police Department to submit a draft of an ordinance to council at an upcoming meeting.

Staff will also look at making exemptions for groups who want to camp at green spaces conducive to that activity within city limits.

“I don’t think it’s an issue now, but obviously with the amount of displacement that could come from Austin, it could be a good idea to review our position,” Mayor Travis Mitchell said.