Council to hear public on street vending law Tuesday — Chamber states opposition to street sales

The burgeoning numbers of street vendors in Eastsound has added urgency to the County Council’s decision on a proposed ordinance to require permits limiting the activities of such vendors.

Following an official council meeting in Eastsound on June 22, at which [intlink id=”orcas-to-council-support-rec-program-mind-the-rabbits-curb-street-vendors” type=”post”]public and council input[/intlink] was taken on the proposed ordinance, County Prosecutor made some changes to the draft ordinance, which was published on July 1. The current version of ordinance can be accessed by going to sanjuanco.com/docs/agendas/Council/4317_Ordinance.Vendors.doc.pdf

There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, July 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the Council hearing room in Friday Harbor to receive testimony on the proposed ordinance.  Written or oral statements from the public can be made at the hearing.  The County Council will then deliberate and consider modifications to the ordinance that are proposed by the public and others.  The proposed ordinance may then be adopted with or without modification.

In a statement issued by Lance Evans, Executive Director of the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce, it was announced that:

The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors does not support sidewalk and street vending on the public right-of-way in Eastsound, and requests immediate action from the San Juan County Council.

The street vending ordinance was discussed at the May 25 Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, and, the Board adopted its position re street vendors by unanimous vote.

Evans said that the Chamber will speak on the topic before the Council on July 14,  “reiterating our belief that the public right-of-way should be reserved for pedestrian access. The Chamber supports private property owners allowing, or negotiating a right for a vendor to sell goods from that private property.”

Evans added that written comments may be submitted in advance of the hearing by mail or email or at the hearing in person.  10 copies are requested of all written comments mailed in (send to: Clerk of the San Juan County Council / 350 Court Street #1 / Friday Harbor, WA 98250).

Emailed comments  should be sent to the Clerk of the County Council at council@sanjuanco.com, so that it my be included as part of the County file.

Following Tuesday’s hearing, the council will vote on the ordinance, which, if approved, would take effect 10 days later.