A new pilot program (item 4) will allow street venting along Mount Vernon Avenue in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood, though the staff report said the plan is to create a legal pathway for something already occurring in the neighborhood.
A new one year pilot program is headed to the Planning Commission for review on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The staff report noted that street vendors already frequently set up on the 3800 block of Mount Vernon Avenue.
According to the report:
For several years, street vendors have been enlivening the sidewalks of Arlandria-Chirilagua, selling a variety of goods to help earn a living while serving the needs of their community. This activity is occurring primarily, but not exclusively, on the 3800 block of Mount Vernon Avenue. The Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan recognized street vending as important to the community, economically and culturally, but also noted that a program would need to be established to allow it to continue.
The report said the city experimented with expanded permitting for street retail with its Covid-era parklet program, but that the parklet program does not specifically permit vendors without adjacent brick-and-mortar locations.
The report said the plan is to allow vendors to sell uncut produce and limited, small non-food items. Vendors will be limited to a 10’x6′ area with portable tables and umbrellas. Vendors can apply to the program on a first-come, first-served basis.
Over the last year, an interdepartmental staff group has been exploring a legal pathway for vendors currently operating on the sidewalk along this section of Mt. Vernon Avenue to continue. Following considerable exploration of various options, staff is proposing a one-year pilot program that allows vendors to sell whole, uncut produce and/or limited small non-food items in designated on-street spaces.
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