Politics & Government
Farmers Market Permit, or Denial, Could Come Tuesday
Get an alert when we write about the farmers market by clicking the "Keep me posted" button below. The Ecology Center has proposed a slightly new market configuration to address merchant visibility concerns.
The Albany farmers market will be back before a city commission Tuesday, awaiting an up or down vote about its permit for the 2012 season.
Dozens of community members came out for the last meeting to . A handful of others continued to advocate for a new market location, or a reconfiguration, to make the market more friendly to nearby businesses.
At the request of the commission, farmers market organizer Ben Feldman submitted a new map of the market, which shows the location of vendor booths, as well as how the market could potentially remove some vendor trucks from the area.
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The city's staff report about the issue does not include a recommendation either way about the permit. Instead, it urges the Planning & Zoning Commission to review the new plans and either approve or deny the permit.
If approved, the earliest the market could begin is likely late May.
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Approval could be based on the following conditions, as suggested by staff:
- Commissioners will determine whether the permit length is for six months or one year
- Truck parking shall by minimized on the north side of the street
- Live entertainment shall be located at San Pablo and Solano avenues
- The market shall be monitored for compliance with the city's noise ordinance
- ADA parking will be provided on the north side of Solano Avenue
- Banner signage, that advertises nearby merchants, will be displayed at San Pablo and Solano avenue
Farmers market organizer Ben Feldman also offered to create an incentive program to encourage market shoppers to "patronize businesses in the immediate vicinity" during market hours, according to the staff report.
Need to reach the city about this matter? Email cityhall@albanyca.org with a note in the subject line about the reason for your message.
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