Planning commission OKs amendment to zoning code rules on street vendors

The Simi Valley Planning Commission voted 41 Wednesday night to recommend approval of an amendment to the city's zoning code that would allow certain types of mobile street vendors to sell on commercial or industrial property with the property owner's permission, the proper paperwork, and a $53 temporary use permit from the city that would last up to a year for one specific location. Commissioner Keith Mashburn was the lone "no" vote.

The amendment, which restricts the vendors to a 400square foot area (about two parking spaces) and says they must vacate the site every night, now goes back to the City Council for final approval.

The council originally directed the commission to look at such an amendment as a solution to trying to get vendors out of the public right of way by providing them another option.

The commission requested Wednesday that additional language be added to the proposed amendment that would restrict mobile vendors to only one cart per location.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 16. It has not yet been announced whether the amendment will be considered at that meeting.

- Kyle Jorrey