A proposal that would ease restrictions on outdoor markets taking place in the Town Center was accepted by the Planning Commission last Wednesday. The City Council must now approve the revisions.

City codes pertaining to the Town Center currently require extensive permitting for an ongoing, though temporary, outdoor market.

The code revisions would no longer require review from the Design Commission for temporary outdoor markets to take place on public property. Approval for these permits would be required by the development services director for each event.

The changes would allow any person, corporation or company to temporarily use public property in the Town Center for commerce.

Since last fall, a group of Islanders have been planning a Farmer’s Market to take place in the Town Center. While the group largely received support from the community, it has found difficulty in getting permits. The new legislation would prevent unnecessary review to run outdoor markets downtown.

A pilot of the Farmer’s Market is set to begin on Sunday, Aug. 10. The City Council was presented the proposed amendments Monday and may approve the revisions at its next meeting on Aug. 4.