News
Bathroom access stressed for vendor
By Michael D. Bates | Hernando Today
Published: November 15, 2012
BROOKSVILLE - Peggy Sparrow on Wednesday got the conditional use permit she needed from planning and zoning commissioners to open an outdoor Farmers Market-type produce stand at State Road 50 and U.S. 301.Published: November 15, 2012
But most of the discussion at the P&Z meeting centered not so much on fruits and vegetables as it did bathrooms. Or, to be precise, the lack of them at her operation.
When the planning board learned that Sparrow would not have adequate restroom facilities for herself, staff and customers, it sent Land Services Director Ron Pianta to the bound volumes of planning regulations.
The rules say an applicant for such an operation must provide "adequate" restroom access and that is a broad definition, Pianta said.
Planner Omar DePablo said the health regulations only apply if the fruit or vegetables are cut open, exposing the vendor's hands to the actual content.
Sparrow said she had run a produce operation elsewhere for five years and had restroom accessibility for herself and the people who ran the stand but didn't make accommodations for customers.
That took Planning Commissioner Robert Widmar aback and asked her if she knew that bathrooms had to be available for seller and buyer alike.
Planning Commissioner Ron Caldi said all the talk about bathrooms for a woman who simply wants to run a produce operation seemed a bit heavy-handed.
Caldi said if he is going to stop at a roadside produce stand for an ear of corn, he's not thinking about using the bathroom.
Finally, planning members agreed to the use permit but with the stipulation that Sparrow make arrangements with a nearby gas station for permission to use the facilities or by purchasing a portable toilet to be placed on the site.
And, as Planning Commissioner John Scharch said, make sure that portable facility has a working faucet so the vendors can clean their hands.
In her application, Sparrow said the property includes an existing 2,780-square-foot building that houses a resale store and a shed, which would be used for a produce stand.
She envisions about 10 vendors on the site.
The stand and the resale store would be open different hours, Monday though Sunday.
The conditional use permit is good for two years, at which time Sparrow would have to reapply.
mbates@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5290