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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