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College Park Flea organizer asks council for clarity after city halts market over zoning interpretation
Summary
College Park Flea founder Ethan Pham told the City Council the popup market was ordered to stop because of a zoning interpretation; he asked the council to allow the market to continue while the city clarifies permit and zoning requirements.
Ethan Pham, founder of College Park FleA (ShopMate in Maryland), told the College Park City Council at its April 1 meeting that city staff ordered his weekend market outside City Hall Plaza to cease operation pending a zoning interpretation and permission from building ownership.
Pham said College Park Flea—run since last spring—served more than 3,500 residents and students and hosted about 70 independent vendors. "We've gotten over 300 people to petition," he said, asking the council to "consider allowing College Park Flea to continue while we work together to ensure compliance." Pham said he had quit a full-time job to operate the market and that vendors and customers rely on the event for income and community connection.
Pham told the council he had received notice to discontinue the market but had not been told which zoning provision was at issue or how to apply for the special permission the notice referenced. He cited "section 27-260 of the PG County zoning map" in support of his claim that flea markets can be allowed at plazas; he said he was willing to work with city staff and building ownership to obtain any required permits.
Council members did not take any immediate action on the matter during the meeting. Mayor Fazil Kabir thanked Pham for speaking; no city staff presented a formal response on the record at the April 1 meeting.
Why it matters: The market operator says the event drives local foot traffic and income for dozens of small businesses and nonprofit vendors. Council members and staff will need to clarify whether events on City Hall Plaza require a special permit, and whether the March notice reflected a zoning interpretation or an enforcement action.
Pham's request to the council was a public comment and not a formal appeal; the transcript shows no formal staff recommendation or council vote on the matter during the April 1 meeting. Pham asked the city to identify the specific code provision that prompted the stop order and to provide a timeline for resuming operations while a permit request is processed.
