Neighbors near Oak Crest Middle School are raising concerns about traffic, noise and parking as the popular Leucadia Farmers Market prepares to relocate there next month.
The market, which has operated for 21 years at Paul Ecke Central School, is moving because the current campus is set to undergo a rebuild. The Encinitas City Council approved a permit allowing the market to begin operating at Oak Crest Middle School starting the second Sunday in June.
Leucadia 101 Main Street Association Executive Director Stacy Redell said the market has grown significantly since it began with about 60 vendors. Some Sundays now feature as many as 130 vendors and attract thousands of visitors each year.
“We have beautiful beaches we have incredible parks but as far as community coming together and also having a benefit, an economic driver, it’s been incredible,” Redell said.
The new location offers more space and is closer to the Encinitas Community Center, where visitors can use about 260 parking spaces. Vendors are expected to set up on the school’s asphalt courts and upper field.
Some nearby residents, however, say the move will negatively impact the neighborhood.
John Bjorneby, whose backyard borders the upper field on Island View Lane, said he is concerned about noise, traffic, parking and potential fire hazards.
“They’re going to have diesel generators to provide power to the food vendors and what have you,” Bjorneby said.
Bjorneby also said the city failed to conduct environmental and traffic studies before approving the permit.
“With all the vendors setting up in the field right behind there. The city is ignoring its own rules for noise abatement,” Bjorneby said.
According to Bjorneby, the city told him the studies were unnecessary because the market is considered a temporary function. He said he is considering filing an appeal and is speaking with an attorney.
Redell said the Main Street Association is trying to address neighbors’ concerns and work collaboratively with the community.
“We are not here to impose anything on anyone. We want this to be a collaborative effort and something that feels good for everybody,” Redell said.
The association said it has already made several concessions, including requiring vendors to stay 200 feet from nearby fences, moving live music closer to the school and prohibiting backup beepers on trucks. City officials have also promised a traffic study if parking and congestion become an issue.
“The problem I see with that is now I’m the police. I don’t want to be the police. Every Sunday I don’t want to say you guys aren’t 200 feet from the property line,” Bjorneby said.
The Main Street Association said it wanted to remain on school property because part of the farmers market profits help benefit teachers and students.
The market is still expected to open at Oak Crest Middle School in June, though it remains unclear whether any legal challenge could delay the move.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.