Zoning Change Gives El Mercado a Reprieve

The controversial Boyle Heights’ El Mercado scored a major victory Thursday when the city Planning Commission agreed to a zoning change allowing the owners to construct a special area for vendors.

The issue now goes to the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee for review.

The zoning change likely will continue to be hotly contested by Councilman Richard Alatorre, many residents in the area and county Supervisor Gloria Molina, all of whom complain about the owner’s past troubles as well as the traffic the market creates.

The proprietor, Pedro Rosado, and his associates have said they want to construct a special area for the vendors, who now sell their baked goods, juices, toys and tamales from makeshift stands near the parking lot.

Opponents said Rosado has been allowing the vendors to remain outdoors illegally and that they do not trust him. He says, however, that the zoning change will allow him to expand his market and continue to employ the 35 to 40 vendors working there.