OKs for church-lot

car camps increase

     PORTLAND — City officials, following the lead of Eugene, last month approved a one-year test program for car camping in church parking lots.
      As reported by The Oregonian, the uptick in homelessness in Multno-mah County has created what City Commissioner Nick Fish termed a “fresh sense of crisis,” and prompted him to seek approval again of the idea.
       The test program would allow churches, synagogues and mosques as well as nonprofits to host overnight guests in their parking lots. Organizations could allow up to four cars, RVs or trailers — but not tents — provided several rules are followed. They include notifying neighbors that the campers have permission to stay overnight; ensuring access to toilets and garbage pickup; disallowing any hookups to utility services; and controlling noise, odors and idling engines.
      Eugene lets businesses and religious organizations host homeless campers with up to three vehicles, depending on location.