Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Farmers Market SUP topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Onancock council approves 20‑year lease for Queen Street farmers market despite public concerns
Summary
The Onancock Town Council voted 5-1 to accept a Planning Commission-recommended special-use permit allowing an open-air farmers and artisans market in the Queen Street parking lot, with conditions including management by a 501(c)(3) and specified hours; several residents urged stronger lease protections and reporting requirements.
The Onancock Town Council voted 5-1 on May 19 to accept a Planning Commission recommendation allowing an open-air farmers and artisans market to operate in the Queen Street parking lot under a special-use permit (SUP).
The market will run Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from May through November and must be overseen by a paid market manager supported by volunteers. The permit limits vendor activity to the area shown on the submitted map, requires use of designated trash receptacles and directs vendors who do not remain with their vehicles to park on Ames Street. The permit is conditioned on the operator being the 501(c)(3) Onancock Farmer's and Artisan's Market, Inc., in good standing with the IRS and the State Corporation Commission.
During the joint public hearing, several residents voiced concerns. Lise Geduldig urged the council to address what she called deficiencies in the proposed commercial lease, specifically objecting to the lease’s proposed 20‑year term, what she described as inadequate insurance language that “does not account for fire or spill,” and a lack of provisions for changes in circumstance and reporting obligations that would let the town measure economic impact. Beth Temple told the council she supports the SUP for the Queen Street location.
Planning Commission members recommended approval 6-0 after motion by Commissioner Jim Labadie and second by Commissioner Paul Weitzel. Planning Commission Chairperson Kasey Grier expressed unease about a government entity leasing assets for a 20‑year term.
On the council, Councilmember Cindy Holdren moved to accept the Planning Commission’s conditions and the 20‑year validity period; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Lisa Fiege. Roll-call votes recorded five ayes and one nay (Maphis Oswald). Councilmember Oswald’s dissent was the sole recorded objection.
The council’s action includes operational and insurance conditions, but it did not change the proposed maximum lease term. Supporters argued the market would be an economic draw for downtown Onancock; opponents and some commissioners recommended added contractual language to protect town assets and require reporting to document the market’s economic impact.
The council did not specify next administrative steps for finalizing the lease beyond the SUP conditions. The town scheduled a special meeting on June 9 to address remaining items on its agenda, where related matters such as building repairs were also proposed for discussion.
