DELAND, Fla. -- It could soon be illegal to aggressively panhandle in downtown DeLand. Eyewitness News first reported in October that the city commissioners came up with a plan to make downtown part of a “no panhandling zone."

But that wouldn't make it completely illegal to ask for change; it would only be illegal in certain parts of the city.

“I hate to sound heartless, but at the same time when it's affecting all the businesses down here something needs to be done,” business owner Todd Carpenter said.

DeLand will vote Monday night on whether or not to outlaw panhandling in the city's downtown area. Many local business owners say it has become so aggressive that panhandlers are chasing their business away.

“They can just get in your face and just get rude and especially when you tell them no," resident Larry McCain said.

The Supreme Court allows for panhandling as part of free speech. The ordinance would only limit where it could happen. Anywhere between Alabama Avenue and Florida Avenue (see map) would be prohibited.

“We think we’ve struck a good balance with people's constitutional rights to panhandle with the rights of the business owners to be free of certain interruptions,” City Attorney Darren Elkind said.

It would cost the city money to jail anyone who breaks the ordinance.

The county is expected to vote on the ordinance at a meeting Monday night.