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Board refers farmers market parking complaints to Parks Committee, extends survey
Summary
After residents raised safety and parking concerns about the farmers market’s new location, the Weston Village Board voted to send the issue to the Parks Committee for detailed follow-up and extended the public survey to June 30 so Parks can consider results at its July meeting.
Trustees voted to refer extended public feedback on the village’s relocated farmers market to the Parks Committee and extended the survey through June 30 after a lengthy public-comment period that split residents and vendors over the new site.
The board acted after multiple neighbors and vendors described competing priorities. Resident Pam Zimmerman said street parking on East Newport and near the skate park created safety issues for backing out of driveways and for pedestrians crossing between cars. "It's a safety issue," she said, urging clearer controls and enforcement. Resident Jim Pel cited a village survey—earlier-reported results drawn from 275 respondents that showed 39% rated the new location poor or very poor and 75% flagged parking as a problem—and asked the board to take action.
Trustees and staff discussed short-term steps such as marking formal parking stalls with ropes or cones, adding more 'No Parking' signage in right-of-way areas, directing overflow parking into designated lots and increasing enforcement patrols during peak Saturday hours. Vendors and some trustees said vehicle access at the new site helps vendors restock and protect perishable goods; one vendor told the board the new site was “much better” for his business because he could keep his vehicle nearby for restocking.
Administrators noted an updated survey with 322 responses as of the afternoon of the meeting and recommended Parks examine the full set of responses alongside vendor feedback. After discussion, a trustee moved to refer the farmers market feedback and possible follow-up actions to the Parks Committee and to extend the survey deadline to June 30 so committee members could consider changes and return recommendations in July. The motion carried.
The Parks Committee will now assess short-term mitigations (signage, ropes, temporary traffic control), explore alternate parking sites and meet with vendors and Friends of Kennedy Park representatives. Parks is expected to report back to the board after its July meeting.
