Tradition or Transgression? : Sidewalk vending is a time-honored fixture on the American landscape, like farmers’ markets and curbside corn stands, and can enrich communities.

In a few days the Los Angeles City Council will be asked to decide whether sidewalk vendors should be allowed to operate within the city limits.

Many Angelenos are adamantly opposed to sidewalk vendors. They say that Los Angeles is becoming a Third World city with too many foreigners selling products on the streets. They fear the vendors. The say the carts are dirty, that the owners don’t speak English, pick up their trash, purchase licenses or pay taxes, that they compete unfairly with established businesses.

But let’s look at some facts.

America has a long tradition of street peddling: snake oil salesmen of the Old West, Good Humor men, Girl Scout cookies.

Before regional shopping malls came into existence in the early ‘50s, most shopping was done at downtown department stores. But downtown was also crowded with hot dog carts, Popsicle carts, popcorn and pretzel carts, news hawkers.

Every major street corner had one or more of these sidewalk vendors. In some areas, such as Olvera Street and Grand Central Market, there were so many that the streets sort of evolved into permanent specialty centers that still thrive.

Things really haven’t changed much. We still have farmers’ markets and curbside corn stands, pumpkin stands and Christmas tree lots. Hardly a street corner exists where someone isn’t selling sunglasses, rugs, flowers or fruit.

Every neighborhood has its garage sales, high school carwashes, charity rummage sales and Sunday swap meets--which are nothing more than a whole lot of sidewalk vendors gathered in one spot.

Some have evolved into permanent stores whose customers drive miles for “a bargain.”

So what’s the fuss? Sidewalk vending is nothing new and nothing to fear.

There’s an easy answer to claims that some carts are unkempt litter-breeders whose owners pay no taxes or license fees. It is called local control, and the city should take this opportunity to let it work.

Under the ordinance as now written, the city Board of Public Works would select up to eight areas where sidewalk vending would be allowed.

This is wrong. There could be many more districts, of varying sizes, where vending would be welcome.

To start the long process of creating a district, vendors would need approval signatures from 20% of all business and property owners in it, followed by an OK by the City Council. The process would put an undue burden on the vendors.

On the other hand, whether they’re welcome should be determined by a vote of residents and businesses in the area, with the majority of those voting carrying the day.

An area could be as small as one block or as large as a square mile.

The city wants vending districts only in commercially zoned areas. But the districts should not be confined to commercial areas unless local residents and business people want it that way. For example, ice cream pushcarts will probably find a home in any residential area with lots of pre-teen children. Taco carts should flourish in the Latino areas of Canoga Park, Northridge, Van Nuys and the northeast Valley.

Flowers and chocolate chip cookies might not sell well in North Hollywood or Sherman Oaks but might do just fine in Encino and Tarzana. Only specific neighborhoods can determine their own wants, needs and tolerances.

Local voters should decide on the merchandise to be sold, the number of carts allowed and even their size, shape and design. Some neighborhoods might prefer carts to be “themed” with one style, one color and same-size lettering, while other neighborhoods might not care.

The ordinance before the council would require a community advisory committee in each vending district. However, I think it should function as a hands-on oversight group rather than an advisory committee. It could deal with local complaints, freeing city inspectors and police officers for other duties.

It could even recommend an election to abolish the district.

Local control would be far better than the current system, wherein we have an estimated 5,000 carts throughout the city, and absolutely no controls on any of them.

Sidewalk vending has a rich tradition in America and is just as honorable as any other retailing business. We should be encouraging it. Today’s food cart might be tomorrow’s restaurant chain, where you will buy the same food for five times the price.

Let’s give the little guy a chance.