Jackson council approves temporary Farmers Market expansion onto East Broadway with safety conditions

The Town of Jackson Council on June 16 unanimously approved a request from the Jackson Hole Farmers Market to expand vendor stalls onto East Broadway, reinstating part of the pre‑COVID footprint of the market.

The market manager, Jenny May Shervin, told the council the market successfully used Broadway for 20 years before COVID and can operate with a single traffic lane open. Police Chief Michelle Weber and staff raised safety concerns about crowd size and barriers; Weber told the council that the department and parks staff favored moving some vendors inside the square but said the applicant and parks and rec had discussed options.

Councilwoman Beeman moved to approve the expansion with conditions requiring the applicant to be responsible for barrier setup and removal and to ensure water and electricity are available. Councilman Schechter requested a post‑season evaluation; the motion was amended with a friendly amendment that the market report back at the end of the market season in conjunction with the police department so the council can evaluate how the expansion worked.

Market manager Shervin said the market has operated on Broadway and Center for decades and that specific vendors (food trucks, for example) would need space on the street, but she and parks and rec were willing to coordinate vendor placement and safety measures. The council discussed tradeoffs including parking impacts on local businesses and the durability of turf if vendors occupy lawn areas; several council members said they preferred Broadway pavement to intrude less on landscaped areas.

The motion passed unanimously. The council did not set an automatic schedule for further hearings but required the market manager to report back after the season so staff and council can evaluate whether to continue the arrangement.

The council’s approval includes the condition that the applicant is responsible for barrier setup and removal, attendee safety and ensuring utilities are available for expanded vendor areas. The council also asked staff and the market to coordinate on operational details such as deployment of Meridian or Jersey barriers and whether more practical, lighter barrier options (planters on rollers, water‑filled stands) could be used for Saturday markets.

The decision was made during the agenda item for special events and followed a staff presentation from Chief Weber and a public comment period in which Chamber of Commerce President Rick Howe praised the police response to recent protests on the town square but urged more upfront messaging around safety for other community events.

The council did not approve any ordinance change for the market; this action is an event permit/venue decision tied to the market’s seasonal operations and the existing permit processes.