Food Store Appeals OK of Farmers Market
A Planning Commission decision to allow a weekly farmers market to open in the city faces a challenge at tonight’s City Council session.
Opposing the outdoor market, which would be in the Plaza de la Paz shopping center on La Paz Road, is the owner of a natural foods supermarket who says the commission’s decision is unfair to his business.
The farmers market “has the liberty to display produce outside,” said Paul Kepple, owner of the Farm To Market grocery store at Alicia and Crown Valley parkways. “I can’t do that outdoors because of city regulations.
“I’m not afraid of the competition,” Kepple said. “All I want is a level playing field.”
City planner William Cunningham said that outdoor markets are governed by state and county health departments, however, not the city.
The Planning Commission approved the market Aug. 13 on a 3-2 vote.
The commission established a six-month review period for the outdoor market, which would operate between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays. A maximum of 40 vendors selling produce, eggs, bakery goods, candy and flowers would be allowed.
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