The Surf City Farmers Market has a problem: Surf City’s zoning ordinances don’t provide a pathway for recurring weekly markets. The farmers market, which reports hosting as many as 50 vendors, has shut down as town officials consider potential changes.
The last market was held in September, cutting the season short, according to a Facebook post from the market.
The community rallied in response. Over 1,000 people have signed a petition in support of allowing the farmers market to stay open.
Now, Surf City has begun looking into altering its ordinances to do just that. But that path could take months to reach fruition.
Why doesn’t Surf City allow farmers markets?
The Surf City Town Council discussed temporary uses
and events during an Oct. 15 work session.
According to Jeremy Smith, the town's planning director, the permitting process is designed to determine if a site can handle the temporary use and to ensure things like parking at neighboring businesses aren’t adversely impacted. However, the ordinance currently doesn’t provide a path for recurring markets.
Some temporary uses don’t require a permit in Surf City, including seasonal events like pumpkin patches and Christmas tree lots. Farmers markets are not included in this category, though.
Instead, the town’s ordinances currently only allow tent sales to occur for 14 consecutive days once every six months.
Smith said the proposed text amendment would shift the process so that farmers markets applied for an annual permit that allowed for weekly events at a specified location.
The market
A Change.org petition advocating for the town to find a solution to keep the Surf City Farmers Market has garnered over 1,000 signatures.
Nona Phelps, the market's organizer, started the petition. She wrote that the market is “a lifeline for countless local vendors and artisans who rely on it to reach customers and sustain their livelihoods.”
She also argued that the market, which operated at Surf City Brewing Company on Friday evenings, is advantageous for local consumers in that it provides the opportunity to purchase fresh, local produce.
Phelps submitted the proposed text amendment. Smith said the town would begin working with her to refine the proposed farmers market regulations and address potential enforcement concerns.
What’s next?
Surf City’s planning board will review the amendment on Nov. 12 and issue a recommendation. It will then go before the town council for consideration. The next scheduled meeting would be Dec. 1.
Smith said it could also be an opportunity to look at and potentially adjust the temporary use ordinance as a whole.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Petition to save Surf City Farmers Market gains 1,000 signatures
