Council approves special-event permit to restore weekly Saturday farmers market at hotel site with an eight-week trial

The Orange City Council on July 22 approved a special-event permit for a weekly Saturday farmers market at 300 South Volusia Avenue, an event located at a hotel site where farmers markets are not normally allowed under the zoning code. The permit was approved with nine staff conditions and an adjustment, supported by staff and the applicant, to allow an initial trial period of eight weeks (the applicant had sought 17 weeks).

City Manager Dale Arrington said staff completed a full review and that the outstanding technical items in the staff report had been satisfied; staff recommended approval with conditions used for the prior operator. Key conditions include vendor compliance with health and fire regulations, solid-waste provisions, and restrictions to avoid dates when the city stages major events. Council discussed how city events (homecoming parade, Bullock Halloween celebration and the Christmas parade, and other park events) could affect parking and staging and directed that, on days of those larger city events, the market either operate on an adjusted schedule or close early to avoid conflicts. The applicant, Jason Hurwitz (Specialty Pop-Up Events), said vendors and customers want a consistent weekly schedule and agreed to coordinate closely with staff; he said vendors would be notified in advance when earlier closing was required for a city event.

Council approved the permit as modified by the city manager, directing staff to finalize conditions and the trial schedule. Staff will monitor operations during the trial and return to council if conflicts or compliance issues arise.