Is This Bozeman Eyesore On It Way Out? City Leaders To Discuss.

Whenever you discuss the "urban campers neighborhoods" scattered around Bozeman, you will most certainly get a reaction. Some believe there's no place in our city for these pop-up villages, while others think that if they're not harming anyone, we should leave them alone.

Many of us fall in the middle.

We might sympathize with the people that are living in these areas but also think that the trash and debris that surrounds them is not only unsanitary but not a good look for the city.

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It's not breaking news to anyone that Bozeman has a bit of a housing crisis and while new homes and apartments are going up at a pretty quick pace, the fact is that a whole lot of Bozemanites don't make enough to pay the "going rate". This of course is where part of the debate begins.  What do you do if you can't afford to live in the town that you're currently residing in?

Move? Live on the street?

Let's be honest here, the term "urban campers" sounds better than homeless, but the truth is, the folks are without a home and have taken to the streets. As mentioned above, many of these areas have large amounts of trash, car parts, and broken-down RVs.

The truth is, I'm not sure there is a one size fits all answer, but the City of Bozeman has decided that it's time to consider doing something about the issue and apparently, that is what they will be doing this evening during the City Commission meeting which starts at 6 pm.

The following has been proposed according to our friends over at KZBK:

"The proposed ordinance allows people to stay in a vehicle or tent for up to five days if they have no other form of shelter available to them. Additionally, people would not be allowed to camp adjacent to or across from a residence, park, school, or daycare, on a bike lane or sidewalk, and within 100 feet of a business entrance."

What do you think about the situation?  Is it time the city does something? Is the proposed ordinance enough, or should there be more? Let us know by sending us a message on our radio station app.