South Lake Tahoe cracking down on arts-crafts festivals, outdoor displays by businesses
By Kathryn Reed
Who gets to sell what and where dominated Tuesday’s South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting. At the root of the discussion is what the five electeds want the city to look like.
Less junky was the overwhelming, though not unanimous, decision.
No longer will arts and crafts festivals be allowed in South Lake Tahoe every weekend during the summer. Starting in 2014 four will be allowed instead of the current 12.
Anderson’s has a special use permit that allows it to display its bikes in South Lake Tahoe. Photo/LTN
This topic is usually a heated discussion and Sept. 3 did not disappoint. Voting against the change in numbers were councilmembers Tom Davis and JoAnn Conner.
“They add to the ambiance of the community,” Davis said of the fairs. “They are selling what the customer wants.”
Conner said she sees locals as vendors and customers at the fairs.
The topic was brought forward because in the past the promoter had to give $5,000 from each event to a local nonprofit. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling has made this mandate by governments illegal.
“I have consistently felt that arts and crafts shows have been detrimental to the city,” Councilman Hal Cole said. He has voted for them in the past because of the nonprofit component.
He believes tourists have a limited amount of discretionary income and that offering these fairs takes away from established businesses.
Loretta Bookhammer with the Tahoe Art League told the council that promoter Bob Williams, who secures all 12 festivals, allows their members free booth space. Artists then give a percentage of their proceeds to TAL. She lobbied for as many fairs as possible.
The council was open to a larger juried art festival that might fall under a special event and not a crafts fair that would allow TAL to make money.
On a related matter the council was in unanimous agreement to actually enforce the ordinance on the books that deals with outdoor displays.
“I think the policy helps improve our built environment,” Councilmember Brooke Laine said. “You can’t just put all of your goods on the sidewalk.”
But Davis cited specific businesses that rent bikes, standup paddleboards and sell wood carved bears that ought to be allowed to display their wares. He worries businesses will go out of business if the ordinance is enforced.
City Attorney Tom Watson admonished him by saying that would be favoritism and the council can’t do that. The policy must apply to everyone and be enforced equitably.
“By enforcing (the ordinance) we are going to say take down the display by Oct. 15,” City Manager Nancy Kerry said. The plan is to send a letter to the offenders explaining the rules and telling them they don’t get to break them again in the spring when the weather is nice.
A business like Anderson’s Bike Rentals has a special use permit so it can display its bikes.
The goal of the ordinance is to not allow businesses to take things out of their store and clutter the entrance and walkway with goods.
The ordinance allows businesses to seek a special permit to have outdoor sales or the like four times a year.
Councilwoman Angela Swanson said the predominant complaint she hears from constituents is how “crummy” the town looks. And the outdoor displays are one example of that crumminess.
The amended ordinance, which had a 5-0 vote, calls for no longer allowing food trucks or any mobile vending business to receive a temporary use permit that would allow it to be parked at a business for up to six months.
The amendment now allows temporary activities for four days with four days between the activities. Security deposits for these activities will be required to discourage violations of the ordinance.
This was the first reading of the ordinance, with the second expected at the Sept. 17 council meeting.
The council agreed at a future meeting to come up with a policy regarding mobile vendors, whether certain businesses may have outdoor displays on a more permanent basis, and whether there is flexibility with the four special events a year at any one location. The latter is a Tahoe Regional Planning Agency mandate.
wow are you kidding me. they need to come down on the landlords who don’t maintain the front of their properties on 50. look at the firstimpression you get when you come from sac. the run down and unkept motels. this is why this down is backwards and doesn’t want to go forward,living in a bubble. i don;t see how the craft fairs take away from the economy,if they have stats lets see them.
what about the Farmers Market?
do they have a special use permit?
the Marriot side walk looks like a crap show on holiday weekends
nobody around the Lake has side walk crap shows
Can’t this City Council find something better to worry about in this town. If Hal thinks tourists have limited incomes, then why do they want to charge them to park to visit local businesses to spend their limited income and risk getting a hefty ticket.
I also think they should worry about run down houses, etc. I don’t see any problem with businesses having some of their wares out in front. I do have a problem with a duplex a block away from me that for over a year has had mattresses, furniture, broken windows, etc., all over the place and nonone seems to do anything about it. Get your priorities in order!!!
Outdoor vendor displays and events shouldn’t be any business of the TRPA. This agency has overstepped their charter in so many other ways – they need to be stopped.
As for the cutback on local vendors events – the City Council should have some compassion for local vendors just trying to make a few bucks. I haven’t heard any of my visiting friends complaining about the condition of Tahoe when they come here. Maybe this issue should be tabled until the local economy recovers.
buster57 said:
“They need to come down on the landlords who don’t maintain the front of their properties on 50.”
I agree with this remark 100% and don’t know if the City even has an Ordinance to address these circumstances. There are numerous other very successful tourist based communities with business storefronts that are well maintained and aesthetically pleasing and perhaps reviews of those community’s existing Ordinances related to this would be useful in crafting something for our City. The deteriorated aesthetic condition of many of the old, neglected storefronts on Highway 50 doesn’t translate to “rural charm” and unfortunately many property owners could care less. And the idea that businesses improving their storefronts encourage other businesses to do likewise doesn’t work; there are some property owners that have no pride, just don’t care, and won’t do anything unless they’re legally forced.
Dean Says-
To force that duplex to clean up, call code enforcement. You can’t just wait for something to happen, you have to get involved and contact the authorities.
Other places simply call them swap meets or flea markets, but not up here in Tahoe!
“Pharts and Krapp Fairs” add to the ‘ambiance’ of this mountain community ;p
Mobile food trucks are huge in foodie cities like San Francisco — properly licensed and inspected they add to the food scene, allowing for innovative seasonal inexpensive cuisine.
Allow the arts and crafts fairs but maybe not at the Horizon ever single day! Oh wait, it’s a casino — it can do whatever it wants! Don’t these vendors pay a fee? If not, they should — more money for our city.
And Hal Cole, if you want our city to be friendly to visitors (and locals) get rid of the parking! And if the city insists on keeping paid parking they need to POST A SIGN AT EVERY SPOT. What is ticking off tourists and locals alike is getting a ticket when the signage is close to nonexistent
Dean,
I agree the run down houses need to be cleaned up! They’re several in my neighborhood that are really bad.
Call code enforcement with the city of SLT, 542-6135. This is what they do and they are very helpful in getting the eyesores cleaned up. It may take awhile to see results as they are under staffed and the list of dilapidated properties is growing. That dept. puts pressure on the property owner to clean up their junky cluttered place.
I would also suggest calling a city council person and alert them to the blight that you see. Give them an address of that dump down the street, they’ll get on it and you’ll see action!
We’ll clean this place up, one house at a time!!! OLS
“the council was in unanimous agreement to actually enforce the ordinance on the books that deals with outdoor displays”
Is this a case of treating the symptom and ignoring the cause?
Many business owners cannot improve the outward appearance of their business, because of the property owners.
“They need to come down on the landlords who don’t maintain the front of their properties on 50.”
(Well stated buster57!)
The council has just caused Stateline to become the center for the A&C fairs. No more tax revenue in SLT only Stateline from the tents between the Horizon and Harvey’s.
The question about the farmer’s market is a good one. If it’s a “special use permit” does that mean that the city oks it as long as they pay the permit fee? Sounds like it’s another “let’s raise revenue” scheme like paid parking. Not trying to solve a problem but rather creating one.
Time to clean up Tahoe allright, elect a new council, one that has other than personal motives, one that uses their positions for the good of the community, just gonna be more selective enforcement like with sandwich boards.
As a vendor in the outdoor shows, I say it is the VENUE that is trashy, not the show itself. Has anyone taken a good look at the Middle School in the past year? The lawn has been allowed to die for more than a year now. After the bike path was put in, all it took was daily watering, and the grass would come back. It has been a stretch of powdery dirt.
Same problem with the American Legion. They no longer take care of the property; dirt instead of grass, dying bushes, clogged restroom, dirty asphalt.
These problems are not the promoter’s responsibility.
Hal Coles ‘belief’ that “tourists have a limited amount of discretionary income and that by offering these fairs takes away from established businesses” is A FACT.
It doesn’t matter what ordinances the City passes with regard to outdoor displays, signs, etc… they don’t enforce them anyway.
Some many important issues to address and this is what the City Council focuses on? This city is in a time warp of its own making. Let’s look at developing a local sustainable energy grid as they have done successfully in Boulder, Co. Think big, go big. Look to the future.
Tourists do have limited discretionary money to spend, so let’s drive their craft fair purchases out of the city where they don’t have to pay to park and ticket them when they visit our lake areas. We’ll make more money from the tickets than sales tax ($55 each ticket).
WELL LOTS OF FOLKS BEAT ME TO IT BUT HEAR GOES:
“Councilwoman Angela Swanson said the predominant complaint she hears from constituents is how “crummy” the town looks. And the outdoor displays are one example of that crumminess.”
Yes much of the the town looks “crummy” but if someone thinks its because of merchandise in front of a store, they must not get out a lot!
“He (Hal Cole) believes tourists have a limited amount of discretionary income and that by offering these fairs takes away from established businesses.”
WELL, THIS MAY ACTUALLY BE TRUE, BUT THEN OBVIOUSLY INSTALLING $1/hr, 24 hour PARKING METERS TO ADD TO THE MARRIOT PARKING GARAGE FIASCO SHOWS HOW SHORT SIGHTED AND UNPROGRESSIVE OUR CITY COUNCIL IS….PEOPLE – GET INVOLVED AND VOTE – WE ONLY GET WHAT WE TOLERATE!
How does the City track sales tax at craft fairs? Bricks and mortar places have to report and pay up, but small craft vendors claiming to run a home business in another city or state don’t pay the local sales tax, if they pay ant at all. What does the City get from these fairs other than the permit fee?
Along the same line, why aren’t the restaurants at Heavenly Village crying fowl at the food truck that parks at Tahoe Toms on peak days? If I had to pay around $20,000/mo rent, I would hope the City or my landlord would not encourage a side business food truck to compete with me.
Speaking of the Village, the same goes for the bright red magic show signs that are plopped on top of the Heavenly Village stonework. Few illegal signs illustrate better why the City has an ordinance, but there again, the landlords/management and tenants of Heavenly Village that are being impacted by the shabbiness should be going after those signs themselves.
It seems like that is the problem with illegal signs and poorly hung banners—few will complain because everyone wants that premium advertising space for free. The Tragedy of the Commons.
Wow. Our City Council is a freakin joke! This is NOT the Tahoe I grew up in. They make it impossible for the small business to thrive and then wonder why this town is going downhill. No wonder families are moving away. We need to get some new people making the big decisions for our City. Tired of seeing the same old grumps who don’t represent the majority of locals.
4-mer and buster, if the city wants to clean up hwy 50 they could start by checking the electrical systems of all of the old motels on hwy. 50 that do weekly rentals. They were all built in the 50’s and were not designed to accommodate hot plates, microwaves, etc., that are being used in these units.
So we need to hurt the local businesses to make it better for business?
I’M WITH DEAN TOO ! I too see the junk in people’s front yards. The apartment owners are not abiding by the city codes. I vote for code enforcement to act with less patience and fine both apartment owners and home owners that display their junk in public view. When the code enforcement officers find a building in violation of the city code, they should not be providing multiple warnings before citing the property owner. The action needs to be swift and considerate of the nearby residents that maintain their yards. We are disgusted with what we see every time we drive down our streets. We shouldn’t have to tolerate this month after month.
ljames, we get what we pay for. Who can afford to volunteer to be on the council that is also qualified to run an $80 million per year organization?
Looks like a dumb Idea to me. People setting up stands on the sidewalk to sell stuff is not your problem.
I am pretty sure i am not gonna bother driving to SLT Ever again.
reza:
I’m with you that the City should go after the dilapidated old motels that operate as low-cost, slum housing and that these places create huge safety issues. I know it used to be that people living at those places for more than 30 consecutive days could go to the City and get reimbursed for any TOT they paid during that first month, and then after that initial time the slumlords weren’t supposed to collect TOT from them as long as they continued living there. The rationale for this was that the City didn’t have enough low-cost housing, but what this has really done is empower motel slumlords to operate long-term slum housing without the need to comply with multi-housing safety code regulations while they exploit any other regulations they can get away with. These places are a blight on the community in addition to being a serious hazard for the people living there and for the surrounding neighborhoods.
My pet peeve are the “beggars/homeless” posting up outside the Raley’s center at the “Y”. Can we pass an ordinance that will give the police the power to get them out of there. They are not homeless or indigent. Matter of fact, having been offered a job at $20 an hour, they shook their heads and said, “We make way more that that!” I don’t know about anyone else, but this angers me greatly.
Yup. Same guy was there in the drive with his gas can for weeks. Guess the visitors wouldn’t know that.
I have gone in and bought a sandwich for the sidewalk beggars a few times, but never, ever, give them money.
John, several people have run who have experience running $80 million organizations. They were viewed as too pro-business. Remember, the average voter does not want change as demonstrated by who they keep re-electing. They are very wary of people who support changes that appear to satisfy the upper middle class or wealthy. Most think like the Mt. News…trust no one! We have been screwed too many times.
The “average voter” pulls the lever for a name they recognize. Most people don’t put a lot of effort into educating themselves about the issues.
Just the way it is. That’s why incumbents stay until they die.
Oh the irony.
Please watch the Council meeting.
Dogula, I agree with your opinion as well. The combo of familiar faces and people who don’t want change win.
Joanne, can you be more specific?
Reza, I encourage all to go to the City’s website and watch the portion on the temporary activities and arts and crafts fairs.
Not all of us voted against the businesses displaying some goods out front and not all of us voted against the arts and crafts fairs. The school district and the American Legion, for example, derived several thousand dollars per year from renting the space to those arts and craft fairs. They will now lose that income and, as some have stated, find it even more difficult to maintain or upgrade their facilities.
After you watch those portions, I would like to know what you think. Not all is a done deal, so please let the Council and planning commission know your opinion.
By the way, there is an opening on the planning commission for those of you who live in the city.
JoAnn,
How come the local TV station keeps showing an outdated session of the City Council meeting??
A lot of valid comments here. Problem though is the enforcing of any code. It just does not happen. I have a neighbor who built a “temporary” shed virtually in the street by roadway easement standards. I called code enforcement several times. They have said they have notified the individual, yet after a couple of years, the shed is still there. Another neighbor parks on the street all winter long even during actual storm days. Ever a ticket or tow? Not yet. I have rental properties in Utah and I know whenever my tenets are in violation. I get a letter and if it is not taken care of, within a few weeks I could receive a fine that can become a lean. This goes for the lawn not being mowed to the garage doors not being painted. The city my properties are in have 3 full time code enforcement employees. I am sure if they were not raising the revenue through enforcement, they would not have them. The only money from craft fair vendor sales that remains in town is from the local craftsmen or perhaps when one of the other vendors goes to Scotty’s to buy a new wiget of some sort to do a repair on their booth.
get a real job
Sunriser2 – I don’t know why the local TV station is not running current meetings, but I do know you can go to http://www.cityofslt.us and watch the current meetings on your computer.
For everyone’s information, we did not vote on the outdoor displays of bikes, paddleboards, etc. yet. That is coming back on September 17th. Please let Council know how you feel. Most people I talk to would rather see displays than empty store fronts.
Comments?
JoAnn,
There was a vote and what the story says is correct:
The amended ordinance, which had a 5-0 vote, calls for no longer allowing food trucks or any mobile vending business to receive a temporary use permit that would allow it to be parked at a business for up to six months.
The amendment now allows temporary activities for four days with four days between the activities. Security deposits for these activities will be required to discourage violations of the ordinance.
This was the first reading of the ordinance, with the second expected at the Sept. 17 council meeting.
Maybe you should go review what actions you took since you don’t see to remember correctly.
LTN staff
We gave direction to staff to bring back the mobile vending and outdoor displays. Second reading is still time for people to give input, and we can always change or amend what we have done.
Please call me at home at 530/544-7412 if you posters wish to give input. Like my colleagues,I’m done here.
JoAnn, I hope you are correct about allowing outdoor displays of bikes, boards, etc.
We are a TOURIST TOWN and tourists don’t necessarily know where they are going or where to find items they want.
Signs are important to direct them to our features as well. There should be eye catching signs to let tourists know where our beaches are, where they can launch a boat, where they can rent bikes, boats, etc.
There are a few today but they don’t really stand out as you are driving down Hwy 50.
I own a business in town. As far as the city council go —-yourself.I will put displays out side, bikes and what ever else is needed so my business is successful. what are you going to do send me a ticket. Big deal. And if i don’t pay it are you going to shut me down. How do you plan on doing that. Are you going to stand in my front door?
I have had enough of this. Time for change. City counsel members enjoy your last term your jobs are coming to a end. We cant elect stupid and expect something good to come out of it.
Sort of sad, actually. I have attended some great craft fairs in South Lake Tahoe and bought some items there that you could never find in any store anywhere. Hand made crafts, literally. Belts, buckles, wallets, and engravings.
The good news is that these displaced merchants will be more than welcome in Truckee every single Thursday during the summer. That business friendly community closes down their commercial core every Thursday night during the summer for “Truckee Thursdays” which allows artisans to sell their wares. Somebody was thinking over there.
A.B.—– They won’t have to go to Truckee as I’m sure the A&C fair between Horizon and Harvey’s will be happy to expand as needed. Nevada will get the benefit.
JoAnn,
Input? The beautifully locally made handcrafted paddle boards would look great along that section of grass above El Dorado beach, propped up for all to see. My neighbor bought one and it’s a work of art! I would also suggest a local boat dealer and or marina to rent some space at the TJ Maxx parking lot along 50 and 89 and display about a dozen or so boats right at the Y for sale or rent, with a representative at the ready to make a sale (we are still a lakeside community, right?). So let’s play on our strengths and work on fixing up our weaknesses.
More ideas forthcoming for our shoulder season as we slip into fall and winter. Take care, Old Long Skiis
come to NEVADA!! Free Parking, good craft fairs!! Yahoo! Who needs to pay for a view!!
The use of the picture of Anderson Bike Rental located on Emerald Bay with the head line is unfortunate. Anderson’s is a second-generation family business that provides bike riding opportunities for visitors to use the Forest Service bike trail. At their expense Doug Anderson rents a power broom and cleans the trail that benefits all users. His business site is neat can clean and he keeps the lawn in top shape.
Mr. Shilling:
Anderson Bike Rentals was referenced in a positive manner several times at the September 3rd City Council meeting when the topic of outdoor displays was discussed. This business was identified at that meeting as one of the very few in the City that has actually complied with the City’s Ordinance regarding outdoor displays in that they’d applied for and received the required permits to legally have their outdoor display. For what it’s worth I find the photo of their business site a template for how businesses should look and how to present outdoor displays and commend this second generation family business for taking pride in the appearance of their business, adhering to City Codes in the conduct of their business, and their contribution to improving the aesthetics of our City.
Thank you to Doug Anderson and family.
Drake Zero, how do you propose to ensure that this is their last term? The same people keep getting re-elected. What’s going to change? Who are you going to support to replace them with?
Time for a recall vote in town.