Politics & Government
Pedestrian Concerns Arise Amid Approval of New Poway Farmers Market Location
The new location will be along Midland Road, with Temple Street dissecting the market and remaining open to traffic.
Although concerns of traffic flow and pedestrian safety arose, Poway City Council unanimously approved a temporary relocation for the Saturday Farmers Market at Tuesday night's bi-monthly meeting in the Council Chambers.
The one-year permit will relocate the market from its current spot on the corner of Midland Road and Temple Street to a stretch of Midland between Adrian and Edgemoor Streets.
According to the City, Temple Street will remain open to traffic, essentially dissecting the market. Midland Road will be closed between Adrian and Edgemoor Streets every Saturday from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. with the new location, with traffic diverted onto Brighton Avenue.
One resident said the use of Temple Street by vehicles during the market hours would "negate the fact of having a walk-around farmers market."
Councilman Jim Cunningham said he'd like to see signage and crosswalk assistance for market-goers wishing to cross Temple Street, asking the city for "something to bring heightened awareness to the drivers for kids coming out of that roadway."
City Manager Penny Riley said barricades and signage advertising for a "Special Event" have been purchased, calling them "long-term investments" as they can be used to multiple special events the City holds.
Councilman Dave Grosch was also concerned about foot traffic mixing with vehicles in motion, but reminded the audience and board members that the permit is for one year only.
Volunteer rangers will be used at first to maintain crosswalks and Director of Development Services said caution signs can be used during the initial launch of the relocation to warn drivers.
Community services staff received feedback from safety departments, with emergency responders approving the relocation, as there are “multiple ways to get into that area,” in case of an emergency, the Sheriff's Department said.
The City said, as far as traffic flow is concerned, it is assumed that the closure of Midland will be as successful as it is for other special events.
The temporary relocation will allow for 29 more vendors, all farmer-based, and may increase market revenue for the City's General Fund by 25 percent — about $16,000 — over the next fiscal year.
If it is determined after one year that the market is preferred in that location, a permanent permit will need to be obtained. With the new permit for the relocation, the market's hours have also been extended from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mayor Don Higginson called the move a "win-win-win."
“We’re very limited… there are only so many places where it’s more pedestrian friendly and not so many cars," he said. “I think this thing is exciting to watch… another additional tool, amenity and fun part of Old Poway Park. I’m totally in favor of this.”
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