City considers widening sidewalks by ‘The Hole’

McMinnville’s ad hoc committee appointed by Mayor Royce Davenport to draft an ordinance governing street vendors downtown is considering a proposal that would widen the sidewalk around “The Hole” to allow for these types of businesses.

“We could extend the sidewalk by a few feet just for vendors,” said Alderman Jimmy Haley, “to see how it works.”

The proposed plan would allow vendors to use the back parking lot for their vehicle parking and allow them room for their street vending carts along the sidewalk.

Because of the limited parking downtown, the ad hoc committee is not considering allowing vendors to have their own parking space.

“We limit parking to two hours in the downtown parking places,” said Davenport. “We have to be fair.”

Vending along the sidewalk is also under debate because of the narrow walkways along downtown streets. A clear sidewalk will be needed for public use and handicap access.

“There’s barely enough room for handicap access,” said Haley of the way things stand now with sidewalks at their current width. “If we allow vendors along the sidewalk, there just won’t be enough room.”

Other topics discussed by the committee included licensing, permits, insurance, photo IDs, hours for vending, who is responsible for enforcing the new ordinance, and exemptions to the ordinance. These exemptions would include activities like the Autumn Street Fair.

The ad hoc committee, which includes Patti Nunley, Michael Chrisawn and Haley, had its first meeting Wednesday. A second meeting is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7 at 3:30 p.m.