HomeMy WebLinkAboutRP 94-05A; Village Farmers Market; Redevelopment Permits (RP) (2)Citv of Carlsbad
Housing & Redevelopment Department
September 29, 2009
CARLSBAD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION
ATTN: CHRISTY JOHNSON
2759 STATE ST.. STE. B
CARLSBAD, CA 92008
Re: Farmer's Market
Dear Cliristy:
After visiting the Farmer's l\/larket on September 23, 2009, I noticed tlie marl<et is
not in compliance witii the conditions tiiat were approved witti the most recent
amendment to the Redevelopment Permit. The foliowing items need to be
addressed:
• There shail be a ratio of 2:1 of certified farmer's booths to non-certified
farmers booths.
• There shall be no more than 2 booths selling homemade crafts.
• A chiropractor and IVIission Federal Credit Union do not conform to any of
the approved booths
1 would appreciate your attention to this matter. I have enclosed a copy of the
conditions placed on your permit, if you have any questions regarding the
information contained in this letter, please contact my office at (760) 434-2813.
Sincerely,
CITY OF CARLSBAD
Austin Silva
Assistant Planner
C: Debbie Fountain, Housing & Redeveiopment Director
Artist Salon & Gallery
2933 Roosevelt Street
Carlsbad, CA 92008
September 17, 2008
Mayor Claude A. Lewis and
Carlsbad City Council Members and
Members of the Design Review Board
City of Carlsbad
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
RE: Farmer's Market
Dear Mayor and Members:
I am writing regarding the request by the Carlsbad Village Business Association to
change the hours of the Saturday Farmer's Market.
I have been to council on several occasions to object to the Saturday market at the present
location because it utilizes the "public" lot two days a week.
I own and operate a business directly across the street and my customers are adversely
affected by the lot not being available. I have checked with our neighboring cities;
Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Encinitas and all of these cities have a farmer's market
only one day a week and in most cases for three hours. Carlsbad has the market two days
at five hours each with an hour for setup and breakdown—that is a total of 14 hours
between Wednesday and Saturday. For over two years they have not had enough
vendors to fill the lot but they continue to block the entrance at Roosevelt Street so cars
cannot enter from the street.
The Saturday market is still very much a "flea market" with jewelry, clothing, windows
and other non-produce vendors.
In summary, the Mayor has stated at my previous visits to council that they would take
this matter up at workshop and close it down in six months if it does not fill up. Well it
has been 2 to 3 years and it is still not full. If you think this market is necessary, move it
to State Street or another part of Carlsbad altogether. It is unfair to the businesses on this
block to be impacted twice a week. Why allow a small amount of retail vendors, mostly
from other cities, to benefit from the use of this public parking lot on the busiest day of
the week at the same location as the Wednesday market? This benefits no one.
For your information, I am enclosing a copy of my letter to you dated July 18, 2006,
addressing many of the same concerns.
Thank you for your consideration,
incerely, \
kXo^L33^
ce Wise
Citv of Carlsbad
IHousing & Redevelopment Department
April 24, 2008
CARLSBAD VILLAGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
C/O ROBIN YOUNG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
2579 STATE STREET, #B
CARLSBAD, CA. 92008
RE: SATURDAY FARMER'S MARKET IN THE VILLAGE
Dear G/BA Board of Directors:
On September 19, 2006, an amendment to the Major Redevelopment Permit for the Village Farmer's
Market was approved by the Housing and Redeveiopment Commission. This amendment allowed changes
to the hours of operation for the Wednesday Farmer's Market and also allowed the addition of six (6)
open cooking vendors and two (2) additional non-produce vendors for both the Wednesday and Saturday
Farmer's Markets. These amendments were approved to heip the CVBA to enhance both markets and
improve/increase attendance.
In the above noted approvals, the initial temri for the approvals was six (6) months. The permit was then
to be reviewed by the Housing and Redevelopment Director to determine the period of time for a
reasonable extension which was not to exceed five (5) years. Although the markets have been under
regular review since approval, a specific time extension has yet to be approved by the Housing and
Redevelopment Director. The reason for this is that the Director has tjeen giving the CVBA time to
Improve/enhance the Saturday Market to significantly increase the numtjer of certified farmers
participating in the market in order for the Director to be able to set the most appropriate term.
Unfortunately, after 18 months of effort, the CVBA has been unable to increase the number of farmers
participating in the Saturday market. The non-produce booths seem to be well-received, but the project
was approved as a certified Farmer's Market. Therefore, the number of farmers is the key criteria and this
number needs to consistently well exceed the number of non-produce vendors. This is not happening for
the Saturday Market. As the Housing and Redevelopment Director, I don't believe that the CVBA is
currently meeting the conditions of the permit for the Saturday Farmer's Market. Therefore, I don't
believe that the market can continue as it is currently being operated. However, I believe it is reasonable
to allow the Saturday Farmer's Market to continue operation through the summer to allow adequate time
for the existing farmer participants to relocate to other markets in the area.
As authorized by the Housing and Redevelopment Commission, I am forwarding this correspondence to
inform you that I am setting a term for the Wednesday and Saturday Farmer's Market as of this date.
The term for the Wednesday market shall be five (5) years from Septemtjer 19, 2006. The permit will
expire on September 19, 2011. The term for the Saturday market shall be 2 years from September 19,
2006. The permit will expire on September 19, 2008. Both terms may be extended through an
amendment to the Major Redevelopment Permit. This decision by the Housing and Redevelopment
Director on the terms may also be appealed to the Housing and Redevelopment Commission.
As you are aware, this discussion regarding the Viiiage Farmers' Market every Wednesday and Saturday
is not new. We have all agreed that the Wednesday market has been doing very well and pians are to
continue and enhance It. Therefore, the full five (5) year term allowed by the Commission appears to be
appropriate. The Saturday market, however, has not done well since it tiegan (in May, 2005). The CVBA
2965 Roosevelt St., Ste. B • Carlsbad, CA 92008-2335 • (760) 434-2810/2811 • FAX (760) 720-2037 ^
has been regularly trying to make improvements to it and City staff has tried to support these efforts.
Unfortunately, the efforts to date have not resulted in much success in terms of increasing the number of
local certified farmers selling their products. The other Saturday Farmers' Markets (in other
cities) are more established and most of the farmers do not wish to relocate to the Carlsbad Village
market. Therefore, the Saturday market does not appear to warrant the full term which is why the term
of two (2) years has been set.
The CVBA submitted a proposal to staff to change the Farmers' Market to a "public market" selling crafts
and other products not consistent with a certified Farmers' Market. Staff indicated that it does not
support this effort. Staff does not believe this is the type of weekly event that would be most iDeneficial to
the Village. I have asked that the CVBA consider phasing out the Saturday Farmers' Market and consider
some other activities that are more consistent with the goals and objectives for business development in
the Village. It was my understanding that the CVBA has been considering other activities as requested.
It has been my goal to give the CVBA the opportunity to phase-out the Saturday Farmers' Market on its
own schedule. The CVBA, however, has apparently determined that it does not wish to phase-out the
market. Based on your April 11, 2008 correspondence to the Carlsbad City Council, it is my understanding
that you wish to continue the Saturday Farmers' Market with amendments to change the hours in an
effort to improve attendance by both farmers and the general public. If you wish to amend the hours of
the market and extend the term of the Saturday market beyond September 19, 2008, you must complete
and file an application for an amendment to your Major Redevelopment Permit and pay the appropriate
fees for said amendment. Attached is the application for your amendment and the current fee schedule
for your information. Please submit the amendment application at your earliest convenience so that it
may be processed prior to the term expiration for the Saturday market on September 19, 2008. Staff will
need to review the appiication, determine its recommendation and process the application for public
hearings before the Design Review Board and Housing and Redevelopment Commission. The Housing
and Redevelopment Commission shall have final authority on amendments to the permit.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact my office at (760)
434-2935.
DEBBIE FOUNTAIN
Housing and Redevelopment Director
City Manager
City Attomey
Community Development Director
DEVELOPMENT PROCESSING FEES
ACCOUNT NUIVIBER APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FEE
0013210-4819 RECORDING FEES^^^""^ $ 50.00/Agrmt
0013210-4911 RECREATIONAL VEHICLE RV (see Administrative Variance in Pennits) $ 682.00
REDEVELOPMENT PERMlf'^^^^^^
8010000-4305 Minor (plus noticing costs & postage) $ 1,490.00
Maior (plus noticing costs & postage) $ 2,730.00
Administrative $ 400.00
Amendment
8010000-4305 Minor (fee + notice fee & postage) $ 535.00
Major (fee + notice fee & postage) $ 1,312.50
Administrative $ 157.50
8010000-4305 Extension
Minor (fee + noticing fee & postage) $ 560.00
Major (fee + noticing fee & postage) $ 650.00
8863210-2749 REFUNDABLE CASH DEPOSlf'"'^^
RESEARCH TIME
0015710-4819 Engineering (By written request to City Engineer) 1 Actual cost
0013210-4819 Planning (By written request to Planning Director) r per hour/min
0010000-4999 Building (By written request to Building Official) J $25.00 based
on hours to
completion
0010000-4999 Business Records Subpoena $ 24.00
0011310-5222 RETURNED CHECK FEE $ 35.00
0015710-4819 REVERSION TO ACREAGE^^'^^' $ (Actual cost
charged
against $3,100
deposit)
0015710-4333 RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMIT^^'^®^
Minor - non-construction $ 155.00
Minor (Single Family, Pool, Driveway, Spa, etc.) $ 315.00
Utility (fee + actual costs for Insp. & Sr. Insp. time) $ 670.00
Utility (By Contract) $ 670.00
0013210-4417 SATELLITE ANTENNA PERMIT FEE^'''-^^ $ 380.00
SCHOOL FEES (Contact Applicable School District) (See Pages 26 - 27)
0015710-4935 SECURED AGREEMENT PROC. EXTENSION FEE $ 370.00
0015710-4935 SECURED AGREEMENT PROC. REPLACE $ 680.00
(fee + improvement plan revision fees if required)
0015710-4819 SEGREGATION OF ASSESSMENT DISTRICf^''^> ""'"^ 1915 act bonds)
Four lots or less $ Actual cost
Five lots or more - fee plus $20 per lot $ Actual cost
SEWER BENEFIT AREA FEES^^"^^) (See Page 36)
5120000-3250 SEWER CONNECTION FEE (General Capacity all areas) (See Also Page 33) $ 1,058.00
* fbhr - fullv burdened houriy rate
FEE SCHEDULE 09/01/07 PAGE: 7
April 11, 2008
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR CLAUDE "BUD" LEWIS
Cliy COUNCIL MEMBERS: ANN KULCHIN, MATT HALL, MARK PACKARD, and
JULIE NYGAARD
INTERIM CITY MANAGER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR,
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
FROM: CARLSBAD VILLAGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RE: CARLSBAD VILLAGE SATURDAY FARMERS' MARKET
Recently the CVBA was given notice that the City of Carlsbad was considering closing the
Saturday Farmers' Market. We would like to be given a chance, with new CVBA leadership, to
make changes that will add vitality to the Saturday Market and bring more business to the
Village.
We are in the process of putting together a slate of activities to be held on weekends in the
Village throughout the year. In recent past we have utilized the Saturday Farmers' Market as the
catalyst for events throughout the Village and this served us well. With additional efforts on our
part, and with furt:her partnership with the city, we can build a truly vital market on Saturdays
that would encourage and set the stage for a multitude of other activities in the Village.
The closure of the Saturday market wili have negative ramifications that must be considered.
While the Saturday market does not attract the same number of customers as the Wednesday
Market, the market does yield nearly 60% of the net sales of the Wednesday market. According
to our casual polling, people that come to the Saturday market do spend money at Village
restaurants and merchants. Depending on the weather, we see between 400 - 500 people at the
Saturday market and believe that ending the market will in essence be equivalent to inviting
those regular shoppers to leave Carisbad and spend their money in Vista and elsewhere. The
CVBA does not see the Farmers' Market as merely a source of revenue, but a vital part of the
Village's culture and character. The market is a very strong draw for people who would not
ordinarily come to the Village to shop. In particular, the Saturday market draws in locals who are
unable to attend the Wednesday market due to work restraints and tourists looking for local
community events. Many of our vendors (some Carisbad residents and business owners) wouid
be harmed greatly by the closure of this market because it is their one source of income.
We have found that Saturday mornings prove difficult to retain more Farmers as we are in direct
competition with the Vista Village Farmers' Market which has been around for over 25 years. We
recently polled Farmers' at the Vista Market and found ten farmers would participate in our
Saturday market if it were held in the afternoon. We realize that a change in hours would require
a new major redevelopment permit and we are more than willing to do the work required to
make that happen.
We request that the City of Carlsbad permit the CVBA to change the hours for the Saturday
Farmers' Market from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM to 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, then allow a two year build-up
period for the Saturday market, allowing the market to remain open until the end of October
which will mark the end of the next crop cycle. During that time, we will prove that the Saturday
Market is a valuable asset to the Village, begin a series of new events and turn our attention to
creating an even more vibrant Wednesday Market, Once we have proven ourselves, we will
request that the City grant the CVBA a 5-year permit to continue utilizing the space.
Being as we are at a critical time with the formation of the Carisbad Village Improvement
Partnership and the move toward positive revitalization in the Village, we think it imperative that
this move be considered a positive step in the right direction.
It is our desire to live up to our mission of promoting and supporting business in the Village.
Much research has been done that proves that Farmers' Markets can absolutely revive business
in downtown areas, and we believe the continuance of the Saturday Farmers' Market will be a
valuable asset to the Village and the Carisbad community at large.
Thank you for your consideration and support. We look forward to working in partnership with
the City Council to bring added vitality to the Village.
Best Regards,
Carlsbad Village Business Association
Board of Directors
Joyce Wise
Artist Salon & Gallery
2933 Roosevelt Street
Carlsbad, California 92008
July 18, 2006
Mayor Claude A. Lewis and
Carlsbad City Council Members
City of Carlsbad
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, California 92008
Re: Farmers' Market
Dear Mayor Lewis and Carlsbad City Council Members:
The Carlsbad Village Business Association's request to extend the hours of the Carlsbad
Farmers' Market on Wednesdays and to have open cooking is of great concern to me. I
own the business directly across the street from the Farmers' Market, Artist Salon &
Gallery, and am writing to inform you that the vendors have already taken it upon
themselves to operate under these new hours without the authority of the City of Carlsbad.
As it is, as a Village business, we are negatively and directly impacted by the use of the
public parking lot during business hours on both Wednesday and Saturday. In fact, my
customers have driven around for thirty minutes trying to fmd parking on those days of
the week. Moreover, on Wednesdays, the vendors arrive to set up and close the parking
lot as early as 11 '00 a.m. and are slow to re-open the parking lot in the aftemoon. This
behavior essentially prevents the use of the lot for my entire business day. On July 5,
2006, the Carlsbad Village Business Association employee who directly manages the
Farmers' Market had the audacity to threaten to tow my customer's car from the lot at
12:30 p.m. When confronted that she had no right to tow a car until 1 p.m., the posted
time, she became very hostile. This behavior is unacceptable.
I pay very high rent, insurance and taxes and have worked extremely hard for the last
three years to build a profitable business in the Village. I resent that these out-of-town
vendors come to our city, set up their wares on our street, take away our business, are
essentially subsidized by our tax dollars and only pay a measly set-up fee. Simply put,
this is inequitable and unjustifiable.
Moreover, calling the Saturday free-for-all a Farmers' Market is misnomer. The fact is it
is nothing more than a swap meet. The following wares and services were available
Saturday morning:
Tupperware • Clothing
Jewelry • Clown
• Cosco Membership
• Real Estate
• Alta Dena Home Delivery Milk
• Soy Products
• Salsa
Spanish Deli Products
Tamales
T-shirts
Three produce vendors and one
flower vendor.
**Also, for the last two weeks there was a person giving frill body massages on a
massage table. **
I am not a new-comer to Carlsbad and I recognize that City has a rich agricultural history
and culture. I lived in Carlsbad for 26 years, worked for the Carlsbad Unified School
District and raised two children in Carlsbad. I am not opposed to a Farmers' Market that
operates on Wednesdays at the posted time and sells local produce.
I am opposed to (1) an extension of the farmers' market's hours, (2) closing the parking
lot before the posted times and (3) non-agricultural vendors. These non-agricultural
vendors give the Farmers' Market a swap meet-feel. The Carlsbad Village Business
Association that operates this eyesore, is actually damaging the Carlsbad village
businesses that they purport to promote. It does not help us any to shut down the public
parking lot two times a week, especially Saturday, and set up tent-village in front of our
businesses. On the contrary, these vendors damage the image that my business and the
City of Carlsbad wish to portray.
It is clear to me that this Farmers' Market has mn amok. These vendors make our
otherwise attractive upscale city center look like a shanty town. Please reign them in.
Concemed in Carlsbkd, s
Q^kJ.^^xi3L
Joyce Wise
cc: Debbie Fountain, Housing and Redevelopment Director and Cliff Jones,
Redevelopment Planner