Mother's Day Sidewalk Sale License Approved for Seasonal Corner after Debate over Location

Another year, another request to hold a Mother's Day sidewalk sale at by owner Carlotta Cardenas — and another debate that ended with the approval of the sale on the sidewalk.

"This Mother's Day weekend sale by Seasonal Corner is something the owner requests just about every year, and every year, it creates some discussion among city staff," Ferndale City Clerk Cherilynn Tallman said.

Seasonal Corner is a garden and flower shop on the corner of Livernois and West Marshall.

The main issue is that the sidewalk is not big enough to hold a sidewalk sale without impeding pedestrian traffic.

"The main request that is concerning to me is placing things on the sidewalk," Ferndale Police Chief Tim Collins said. "It's a standard sidewalk. Anything placed on it will hinder the use of the sidewalk, especially for handicapped folks."

Collins said Cardenas could hold the sale in the right-of-way, between the street and the sidewalk, as long as it doesn't disrupt the sight lines of traffic. In the past, Cardenas has put up tents and hung potted plants and other wares that have blocked sight lines. Collins said that would not be allowed.

"There is no real way to use the sidewalk and not impede traffic," he said.

However, in past rulings, the council has told Cardenas she could not hold the sidewalk sale in the right-of-way and limited it to the sidewalk. Councilwoman Melanie Piana brought up the point that a ruling to have it in the right-of-way would negate previous rulings by the council.

"Not having been on council, I'm not sure why the decisions were made to not have them in the right of way," Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter said. However, it was his feeling that as long as it didn't impede sight line, that is where the sale should be held, freeing up the sidewalk for pedestrians.

"More inclined for her to use the right of way as long as it doesn't impede the right of way," Coulter said.

Last year, Seasonal Corner held the sale on the sidewalk, and Collins informed the council that there were no complaints that he knows of.

Despite the debate over using the right of way or the sidewalk, the motion passed 4-1, with Coulter the lone nay.

The sidewalk sale takes place from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday at Seasonal Corner.