The Jasper Local Food Society is requesting a permit to resume use of the McCready Centre parking lot for this summer’s weekly farmer’s market.
Last year, council approved the permit as a pilot project, allowing the society to host 10 markets in the parking lot over the course of the season.
Janeen Keelan, the society’s market coordinator, appeared before council Feb. 17, requesting another permit for the summer of 2015.
Because the municipality doesn’t yet have a bylaw for private use of public land—in this case a public parking lot—and non-profit organizations are only allowed two event permits per year for the same function, council’s only way of issuing a permit of this kind is on the basis of a pilot project. It also needs Parks Canada's approval.
“There’s two levels of authority,” explained Mark Fercho, chief administrative officer, “there’s council’s permitting process for the use of the space, because it’s municipal property,” and there’s Parks Canada’s approval, because the use of the parking lot is contrary to its existing zoning.
Fercho added that because the use was approved by Parks last year, the process should be “fairly streamlined” this time around, “subject to council’s approval on the first part.”
In a letter to council, Keelan reported that last season was the most successful the society has seen since the market’s creation in 2010. Until last summer, the markets had been held in the parking lot of the Jasper Legion, which is part of its leasehold.
“Most of our returning vendors reported that this was their best season so far,” wrote Keelan, noting that in total there were 35 unique vendors and most markets had about 20 in attendance.
“The venue was wonderful for all the reasons we pursued it (discoverability, adequate size, green space, proximity to downtown and to the seniors’ homes) as well as for unforeseen reasons,” she continued. “We saw far more patrons at this location, and those who came stayed longer to visit and to have picnics on the green space. A number of these patrons were Jasper chefs and restaurant owners whose menus gained tourist appeal for containing local fare.”
Before bringing the issue before council, administration reached out to the McCready Centre’s surrounding neighbours, requesting any feedback—either positive or negative—on last year’s market location.
The results were primarily positive, with the Jasper United Church and St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church stating their continued support for the market. There was, however, some concerns raised by Tracy and Dave McDowell, whose home fronts on the McCready Centre parking lot.
In a letter, the McDowells expressed their support for the market, but noted that its location caused them some inconveniences and frustrations.
“The organizers attempted to keep customers off our front lawn with signage and while this may have deterred some, we definitely felt an intrusion of our space,” they wrote, noting that bikes were often parked on their lawn or left leaning against their front steps.
“While most customers were respectful of our space, we had several uncomfortable experiences, including customers not picking up after their dogs, smoking, sitting on our front steps while they ate lunch and we even had one gentleman brushing his teeth and spitting.”
As a solution, the McDowells suggested a few alternate locations where the market could be held, including the parking lot directly below the McCready Centre.
Alternate locations are difficult to find for the market because legally it needs to have access to bathrooms and a kitchen with a double sink. That’s why the McCready Centre parking lot is so perfect, said Keelan, noting that the only other location that might work would be the parking lot next to the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives. But, she said, that lot is far busier, which would mean running around in an attempt to find people to move their cars every Wednesday morning.
Council will vote on whether to issue a new permit to the farmer’s market on March 3. Administration has recommended that it approve the request.
Mayor Richard Ireland asked that before the March 3 meeting, administration speak with the McDowells in an attempt to address their concerns.
“I would appreciate it if there could be some effort before this comes back for decision to see that some accommodation ... can be achieved.
“It does seem like something better addressed through proactive discussions then somehow after,” he said.
“I’m confident that ... any issues that have been brought to the table can be addressed,” said Coun. Rico Damota. “In a community like ours, we can come to some type of agreement to make things work. I’m sure by putting the right things in the right places we can all make this happen.”
Nicole Veerman
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