A rodeo and flea market operation off of Shore Road would lead
to a spike in traffic there, but it shouldn’t necessarily preclude
supervisors from seriously examining an approval and the potential
economic gains of the two projects.
A rodeo and flea market operation off of Shore Road would lead to a spike in traffic there, but it shouldn’t necessarily preclude supervisors from seriously examining an approval and the potential economic gains of the two projects.
Planning commissioners last week denied the facilities’ use permit in a 4-1 vote, which nullifies the proposal unless applicant Robert Rodriguez appeals to supervisors. He should, and supervisors should conduct further analysis on the one realistic roadblock – traffic – before tossing aside this idea.
Rodriguez is proposing the adjacent, seasonal operations at his 1370 Shore Road property. They would total 65 acres, while the facilities would be placed several hundred feet off the road.
It’s understandable that neighbors are against the proposal because it would increase traffic and alter the overall aesthetics of that area. Concerns over added crime, dust and noise are overstated, while neighbors have a legitimate argument that an estimate of nearly 700 additional vehicles on peak weekends – when both the rodeo and flea market operations are running – is a cause for concern.
That shouldn’t make it a deal killer, though. Most important, there’s a potential economic gain on the table here involving a clean form of entertainment that could reflect this area’s heritage.
If Rodriguez appeals, supervisors should hone in on the traffic issue and conduct further analysis of potential impacts – and furthermore, how they could be mitigated in a reasonable manner.
