Farmers’ Market on Road to Reality

Residents and local farmers are seeking approval from the city for a weekly farmers’ market on public parking lots at Marguerite Avenue and Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar.

The proposed market would offer fresh produce from county-certified farmers and would take place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., states a staff report prepared by Christy Teague, a city planner.

In February, Corona del Mar resident Karen Talbot and Rick Heil, a farmer representing independent local farmers, met with city officials to discuss concerns raised by residents and merchants about the proposed market. Among the potential issues were parking, noise, cleanup, and applicable permits and insurance.

As of Friday, the city had not received any telephone calls or letters protesting the proposal, which will be reviewed by the City Council for preliminary approval Monday.

In the report, Teague said that the city’s traffic division has noted very low usage of the municipal lots during the proposed hours. Heil said the average customer goes to a farmers’ market for 15 to 20 minutes. In addition, he said, many market patrons typically shop at nearby stores.

Farmers said that noise or material pollution have not been a problem at other sites. Noncommercial vehicles such as pickup trucks and vans are used, and an assigned market manager is responsible for maintaining the premises.

Teague noted in her report that in a survey of area cities that have farmers’ markets, there were no concerns or problems expressed.

The idea of a market has been endorsed by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, Councilman Dennis D. O’Neil and former Mayor Phil Sansone.

The City Council meets at 7 p.m. Monday in council chambers, 3300 Newport Blvd.