Yes, there is a new controversy brewing regarding the Sevastopol Farmers Market.

But, despite social media posts that might suggest otherwise, city leaders have no plans to stop the market from operating.

“We have not closed it and we have no plans to close it,” Sebastopol City Manager Don Schwartz said Monday. “Let’s start with this.”

Rather, he said, the market finds itself at a crossroads after city staff forced market management to comply with decades-old permitting rules.

These rules require the market to maintain a ratio of 80% agricultural sellers to 20% craft and food sellers, which the market now exceeds on the craft and food side.

The market operated every Sunday, including public holidays, between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at 6908 Weeks Way in Sebastopol Square/City Square. It is expansion into nearby WestAmerica Bank parking in June derailed the ratio.

“It seemed like they had plenty of time to address the issues we brought to their attention in June, but they weren’t doing it and had no interest in doing so,” Schwartz said. “(The application) seemed like an appropriate action to take.”

So the city sent the market an enforcement letter last week, sparking a wave of concern among the market’s non-agricultural vendors.

“It’s high season for many sellers” Nate Bender wrote on Facebook for his company Big Spoon Sauce Company. “We couldn’t do what we do without farmers. At the same time, we appreciate the diversity of offerings available to us for a few hours each Sunday and know that our customers do too. We hope to return soon.

Sebastopol Farmers Market Manager Barbara Hom told The Press Democrat on Monday that she could not comment on how this happened.

But in a social media post, the farmers’ market said “the city informed the farmers’ market of the need to amend its permit in June, prior to expanding into an adjacent parking lot.”

“The Sébastopol Agricultural Market acknowledges having nevertheless expanded its operations, without requesting a modification of its permit. The Agricultural Market initiated, but did not complete, a request to modify its permit.

The city allowed the market to continue on Sunday, November 17 – but had stipulations. The city demanded that the market stop using WestAmerica Bank land as space for vendors. It appears that the vendors were moved to other parts of the square, but it is unclear whether they all were able to return.

At the end of summerthe market fought to stay in this parking lot to keep space for non-agricultural vendors. At the time, WestAmerica Bank, which owns the land, asked the market to move after receiving complaints from customers who had difficulty finding a parking space on Sundays to use the bank’s ATM.

“We don’t create permit requirements just because,” Schwartz said. “There are real problems. Traffic is an example. Parking capacity is another. There is food security. We want to make sure we follow the rules to protect people’s health and safety.

This week, it’s unclear what future markets will look like. Dagan Prusky, an Analy High School student who sells handmade pencils at the market, said that “many sellers will have to be evicted, including me, until they change the permit.”

Schwartz said city staff, market management and neighboring businesses are expected to connect today — Tuesday, Nov. 19 — about the future of the market.

“I am confident we will find a solution that satisfies everyone involved,” Schwartz said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Amie Windsor is the community journalism team leader at The Press Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected] or 707-521-5218.