The Town Council in Woodside, which returns from its August recess at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, will address the uproar in the Skylonda community over the legally necessary but deeply unwelcome throwing of cold water on the idea of a regular farmers' market at the corner of Highways 35 and 84.

The town acted in accordance with its municipal code, which does not allow farmers' markets, after learning of a gathering of Skylonda residents and passing cyclists on the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 1. The market consisted of about eight tables of fresh produce, homemade cheese, sunflowers and other goods, the efforts of nearby artisans and farmers. The vendors sold out, residents said.

Town Hall staff are recommending that the council either amend the municipal code to allow the consideration of farmers' markets in town, or find a section of municipal code that would suffice in lieu of such an amendment.

The council meets at Independence Hall at the corner of Whiskey Hill and Woodside roads.

San Mateo County is host to some 31 certified farmers' markets, a staff report said. Representatives from the county's public health agency spoke in favor of such markets in Woodside in February 2010 during a community workshop on updating the town's general plan. The plan's circulation and sustainability chapters note the importance of activities that encourage lower greenhouse gas footprints.

Staff has also received a petition circulated in August and with 199 signatures asking for a weekly farmers market at that location between May and December.

The West Coast Farmers' Market, held in Parking Lot 7 at Canada College, is just over the Woodside municipal boundary and therefore technically in Redwood City, according to the staff report. This market is held every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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