Burbank OKs Park Site for Farmer’s Market

A weekly produce market forced to move from a downtown Burbank site has found a new home in a city park.

On Tuesday, the Burbank City Council approved a license for the Burbank Certified Farmer’s Market to sell its wares in the parking lot of George Izay Park.

As a licensing condition, the council required the St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation, which runs the market, to post a crossing guard at the intersection of Clark Avenue and Mariposa Street during market hours.

The park is adjacent to residential property and across the street from Walt Disney Elementary School. School officials and neighbors had expressed concern that market patrons would increase traffic and endanger child safety.

Jeff Richmond, assistant city planner, said Burbank staff members will evaluate the market’s effect on residential areas by talking to neighbors and school officials every three months.

Open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the market offers fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, honey, nuts and some meat products at prices 20% to 30% below retail, according to its operators.

Foundation officials have supported the move to George Izay Park because the added space will allow them to add 10 vendors to a roster of 25.

Vendors turn over 3.25% of their proceeds to the foundation, and foundation spokeswoman Joanne Sugar said profits of $8,000 to $10,000 are expected from the market this year.

The market, which draws more than 2,000 customers, must leave its existing site on 1st Street and Orange Grove Avenue after Nov. 29 to make way for redevelopment.