Street vendors and Open House concern EPRC

Members of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) at the Nov. 6 meeting decided to hold an Open House on Thursday, Dec. 8.

The EPRC heard from Holly Dennis, an Orcas Island businesswoman and street vendor, who spoke on behalf of regulating sidewalk vending to allow only locally-made or -grown products.

Dennis objected to the practice of vendors “brokering” off-island products on street corners.

EPRC Chair Mindy Kayl commented that complaints that sidewalk vendors are not paying business taxes are unfounded, and said that Eastsound sidewalks provide “a venue for legitimate business people.”

Chamber of Commerce Director Lance Evans brought up that the sidewalk vendors don’t pay for storefront access, as do the storeowners themselves.

County Council member Gene Knapp stated that the Prosecuting Attorney’s office had been asked to write a no-peddling ordinance for the County Council to adopt, but that with rewriting county ordinances to match the County Charter implemented in 2006, it was overburdened.

“The EPRC could do everyone – the street vendors, the business owners and the county council – a huge favor if they came up with a recommendation to the county,” Knapp said.

The EPRC consented to spearhead a meeting with the Orcas Chamber and farmers to identify and supply a designated area to sell local goods with a standardized system that is agreeable to local vendors and businesses, according to Kayl.

EPRC member Brian Ehrmantraut asked Knapp if the Council has the ability to control the issue of local producers selling their products on county streets, and Knapp replied that it did.

The EPRC’s regular monthly meeting will be held at its usual time on Dec. 1.

Storm Water Open House

The EPRC decided to hold an Open House on Thursday, Dec. 8 to present to the public the stormwater utility ordinance. See related story A1.

They plan to have tables with maps and other information about the issues such as the Capital Facilities Plan for Eastsound, the Eastsound Swale and the county’s six-year road plan, with representatives from the county’s Public Works department, the stormwater sub-committee, Eastsound Water Users Association, Eastsound Sewer and Water District, and perhaps Land Bank and Pathways.

EPRC Member Gulliver Rankin presented a draft letter to the County Council, defining EPRC’s desired involvement with the proposed Storm Water Advisory Committee, and requesting two seats (for himself and fellow member Patty Miller) on that seven-member committee.

Knapp brought up a plan to address the cut in county funding that Orcas Recreation Program faces: he suggested that Orcas Island form a Parks and Recreation District. He noted that Orcas Rec serves over 400 children each year.

Kayl said that, in light of across-the-board cuts in the county 2009 budget, the EPRC should consider what they can do to help the Planning Department do a better job.

The EPRC also is considering “Areas of Concentration/ Job descriptions” for its members, so that they can specialize in research of issues including development, transportation, parking, utility/stormwater, housing, community services, economy, conservation and outreach.

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