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Saanich looks to allow farmers markets next year

Municipal hall site near Lochside Trail among prime locations

Saanich could be getting its version of the Moss Street Market, after council endorses the idea of “pocket markets” in the municipality to promote a sustainable food system and give local growers more places to sell products.

Residents will be able to provide their two cents on the whens and wheres of the plan at a public hearing sometime after the Nov. 19 election.

A pocket market, similar to a farmers market, is a temporary location for vendors to set up tables and sell produce and other goods directly to consumers.

The markets would be allowed from April to November, including at one location that took up most of the discussion on Monday night.

The edge of the Lochside Trail, near the municipal hall’s entrance on Darwin Avenue, has been suggested as a prime spot for such a market.

“This is the No. 1 most logical place to put a farmer’s market,” council candidate Harald Wolf told council.

However, that site has to allow 24-hour access for police and fire vehicles, said Saanich’s director of planning, Sharon Hvozdanski.

Councillors supported the motion, asking the police and fire departments if they can agree on a way to make a pocket market work near the municipal hall exit.

Pocket places

• The supported proposal would allow pocket markets to be set up on properties that are zoned a particular way.

• Among those allowed zones would be general commercial, shopping centres, service stations, offices, restaurants, churches, universities and recreational and institutional zones.

kslavin@saanichnews.com