Council denies Mama Bee's Farm LLC request to operate mobile vending trailer in Grasshopper lot

The Grants Pass City Council voted to deny an application from Mama Bee's Farm LLC to operate a mobile vending trailer in the Grasshopper parking lot at 201 Northwest F Street.

Brad Clark of the Community Development Department presented the application and the staff recommendation, noting the municipal code authorizes certain food vendors in public rights-of-way but does not expressly authorize nonfood vendors in the public parking lot. Clark outlined proposed conditions if the council were to approve the request, including limiting the vendor to two parking spaces, daily removal of the trailer, operating hours, and no signs outside the designated space.

Applicant Britney Doyle (representing Mama Bee's Farm LLC) told the council she wants to sell flowers and advocated more broadly for allowing local growers to sell produce downtown. "I am here a little bit more, not just for myself, but for agriculture and farmers in general," she said.

Several downtown business owners and residents urged the council to deny the license or study broader policy changes first. Alexis Smithy, owner of Grove Florist and Gifts, said, "Allowing a private business to operate on a public property without the same financial commitment doesn't create a fair playing ground." Other public commenters raised concerns that corner sellers on city streets do not pay fees while the Growers Market pays a vendor fee.

Council members debated parking supply, potential impacts on brick-and-mortar businesses, Growers Market contracts, enforcement and fees. Multiple councilors said they would prefer broader policy review and community engagement before authorizing regular weekday vending in the lot. The mayor recorded a roll-call vote with all voting to deny the license; the mayor then said the motion to deny passed.