Farmers market will remain in Clear Lake Shores

CLEAR LAKE SHORES — Despite talks that the Clear Lake Shores Farmers Market might move to League City, the city council must approve any changes made to the market, Mayor Vern Johnson said.

And the council does not want the farmers market to leave, he said.

The farmers market committee can suggest where to move the market, but the city council has to vote on it, Johnson said. Plaza Ten, a city-run nonprofit organization, runs the farmers market.

Committee President Bonnie Taylor met with League City officials June 3 about possibly moving the market to League City and changing its name.

Taylor declined to comment on what was discussed at the meeting but said she wanted to have a backup plan if the city council’s three recently elected members did not support the farmers market.

The farmers market has grown since it opened in April 2009, and Taylor said she would like to see it moved to accommodate for more vendors. Limited space prevents more than 50 vendors from participating on Saturdays.

The city has talked about possibly moving the market to the northwest corner of FM 2094 and Clear Lake Road.

Parking problems have also arisen. The city pays $110 each day for parking at the former South Shore Beer Garten across Clear Lake Road, but Taylor said a paved lot and a pavilion with electrical access are needed to accommodate for the market’s growth.

Clear Lake Shores resident Tom Hord gave the city permission to park on land he owns across the street from the farmers market.

“It sounds like Tom Hord’s property might be an option for us,” Taylor said. “We’re just looking at all the possibilities.”

The city will address parking problems and a lack of volunteers, which became an issue once the market grew, City Administrator Paul Shelley said.

“I think the market will stay where it’s at,” Shelley said. “We’re just going through some growing pains right now.”