The Twentynine Palms Farmers Market’s permit was reapproved by the city’s Planning Commission.
The permit, which was up for renewal, was the subject of a public hearing at last night’s meeting of the Twentynine Palms Planning Commission. Minor controversies facing the Farmer’s Market, including trash, business permit approvals, and fees, were addressed prior to last night’s meeting between the operator of the farmers market, Roger Thomas, and city staff. These changes including a $50 per day use fee, were included in the updated conditional use permit, that was brought to the commission, and a packed room full of vendors and residents voiced their unanimously positive opinion of the market during the public hearing.
The City has received complaints about trash accumulation at the Twentynine Palms Farmers Market, but interim City Manager Larry Bowden explained that trash aggregation at Freedom Plaza is not unique to the Farmers Market, and indicative of a thriving community space.
He said that the city is considering bringing on a contractor to increase trash collection throughout the week to address the issue.
Anna Stump, who brings a portable version of her miniature golf project, MojaveLand, said that the Twentynine Palms Farmers Market serves not just as a place to buy produce and food, but as “more of a community meeting place.” This sentiment was echoed by a majority of those that spoke at the public hearing.
During her public comment, Mary Jane Binge said that some business owners in the area have harassed vendors, and that as a result, some have given up their spaces at the farmers market.
“There are a few people in town causing trouble there. Some of the vendors have left because they don’t like being harassed.”
Thomas, and several members of the community asked that the conditional use permit’s duration be extended beyond what has been proposed, but the Commission, stuck to the language of the permit as it was presented, saying that it had already been negotiated between Thomas and the City. The permit will allow the farmers market to continue operating under last night’s revised terms, for a total of five years, with another review by the Commission coming after four years.
The updated permit was approved unanimously by the Commission.
After the hearing, Thomas spoke with Z107.7, saying, “We’re very pleased with the outcome.”
