Farmers market will make a temporary move

The Laguna Beach City Council voted Tuesday to temporarily relocate the weekly farmers market from the Lumberyard parking lot to the Forest Avenue/Laguna Canyon lot to accommodate a planned sewer project.

The market, held from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, will shift locations from Oct. 17 through May 2016 so the city can realign a sewer line. The council voted 4 to 1, with Robert Zur Schmiede dissenting.

City staff looked into relocating the market atop the Glenneyre Street parking structure, but did not recommend that idea after holding two community workshops.

Nearby business owners said farmers market patrons would use all of the 100 spaces in the structure’s lower level, forcing potential customers to find parking elsewhere, according to a city staff report.

County health rules require restrooms with hot running water within 200 feet of vendors’ booths, which would not be feasible if the market were held atop the parking structure.

Farmers market officials preferred the Forest/Laguna Canyon lot because of its close proximity to the Lumberyard location.

Zur Schmiede favored a temporary move to Ocean Avenue, which he said could boost business and ease traffic congestion on Forest Avenue on Saturday mornings.

— Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce