Council evaluates South Lake Tahoe craft fairs

Craft shows allowed in South Lake Tahoe have long been an issue, whether it was the number of them or the quality of goods offered. In September of 2013, the codes concerning craft shows were revised to only allow 10 per year in 2014 and eight per year starting in 2015. The maximum number of shows per location was changed to limit just four.

The City Council looked at code revisions recommended by the Planning Commission during Tuesday's meeting that would require all future crafts shows to be juried so quality and types of items offered at the shows would fit the qualification of true arts and crafts. The Commission also recommended that the maximum number of shows remain at eight

Issues expressed by locals in the past included the quality of items at the shows didn't always fall into the category of 'arts and crafts,' that local businesses had unfair competition and that the appearance of these shows cheapened the look of neighborhoods.

The juried craft show will address complaints about quality since a committee of qualitifed people will judge what can and cannot be sold. The Planning Commission had recommended that all tents at shows be of the same color and size, with no lettering but the Council didn't agree with that though they recommend all vendors have a booth.

This was the first reading of changes to the ordinance so Council voted 4-0 (Councilman Tom Davis was out ill) to have the code revised and brought back for a final vote.