Council to Discuss Farmers Market Status

Complaints from local merchants about the farmers market at Dana Point Plaza have prompted the City Council to schedule a discussion tonight about the market’s status.

Merchants have complained over the last several months that the weekly market causes traffic, trash and noise and hurts their business.

Over the summer, the city held several meetings with plaza merchants in attempting to improve the situation.

The city also formed a Farmers Market Task Force that includes merchants, city representatives and market manager Rick Heil.

Task force member Connie Veldkamp of Landmark Antiques said the task force has helped solve some problems but that others remain.

“I hope it will stay,” Veldkamp said of the market. “Hopefully, the parking problems will be resolved.”

The year-round, open-air market is held every Wednesday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. and consists of about 25 farmers who sell everything from honey to fresh produce and flowers. The independent farmers grow their products.

The city contracted with Heil, who also operates a farmers market in San Clemente, in 1995 to manage the market and renewed his one-year contract in April.

The contract can be dissolved if the city deems the market a safety risk to people or property, if it hinders public use of the center or if the area is needed for public purposes.

But any change in the contract requires a public hearing.

Tonight’s meeting starts at 5:30 in council chambers at 33282 Street of the Golden Lantern, Suite 210.

Information: (714) 248-9890.