PORT ANGELES — The Planning Commission’s Aug. 11 decision to allow closure of one block of Laurel Street for the Saturday downtown Farmers Market satisfied neither merchants who claimed to be negatively affected nor market representatives.
Both sides have appealed the conditional use permit that continues to allow closure of Laurel Street between Front and First streets from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays for one more year except during November and December.
Farmers Market President Maegan Jones delivered the market’s appeal to City Planner Sue Roberds at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the final day on which to file an appeal.
Port Angeles attorney Craig Miller, representing 11 downtown business and property owners, delivered that group’s appeal shortly before 5 p.m.
Authority exceeded?
The market claims in its appeal that the Planning Commission exceeded its authority by imposing more conditions rather than just extending the permit.
The appeal also states that the market was denied adequate notice and an opportunity to be heard regarding alleged loss of business caused by the closure of Laurel Street.
The Planning Commission also “unreasonably restricted” the hearing’s record by refusing to allow presentation of evidence and rebuttal of allegations, according to the market’s appeal.
Request filed too late?
The downtown business and property owners’ appeal claims a request to extend the conditional use permit wasn’t filed before the permit expired.
It also says that the analysis that the market posed no adverse environmental impact was conducted on the former Clallam County Courthouse location, not the current location on Laurel Street.
Among the business and property owners listed on the appeal are Edna Petersen, owner of Necessities and Temptations at 217 N. Laurel St., and Lindi Lumens, co-owner of Raven’s World at 120 W. First St.
They were among the first this year to address the City Council about closing Laurel Street for the Saturday Farmers Market and its effect on their businesses.
Sept. 20 hearing set
The dual appeals set up a quasijudicial hearing before the City Council on Sept. 20 in the council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
Mayor Richard Headrick said the hearing would follow the same process as the one held last year regarding public water fluoridation.
“It’s like a trial,” Headrick said.
“We will be taking testimony like with the fluoride issue.
“We can’t investigate the issue or discuss it with anyone outside the hearing. We must decide based upon the testimony only.”
