Coachella Container Park petitions to remain open after cease-and-desist
COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — The City of Coachella is working with the operator of the Container Park to establish a pathway toward regulatory compliance after the popular food vendor and community hub had its permits expire in March. To prevent an immediate shutdown, municipal officials are issuing temporary special event permits that allow vendors to continue operating through this weekend.
For residents of Coachella, the Container Park has grown to be more than a place to dine. Residents say it’s grown into a place for the community to gather, according to its petition page.
The compliance issues prompted the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health to issue a cease-and-desist letter to the facility. City officials stated they are actively guiding the operator through the entitlement and permitting process while providing temporary event authorizations to maintain operations.
A Facebook post from the city of Coachella stated that the city continues to work with the operator toward compliance.
In response, representatives for the Container Park noted their special event permit remains active and is being utilized by the city to authorize events planned for this weekend. The statement also claimed that the county's cease-and-desist order has been lifted for the currently authorized temporary event.
Despite the temporary permits, local small business owners who rely on the hub report ongoing concerns about their future. Rosy Gonzales, co-owner of the food vendor El Comal, emphasized the importance of the gathering place for regular clientele and income.
“We have a lot of customers that go back very often," Gonzales said. "Knowing that we might lose that opportunity, it's been really difficult."
Gonzales noted that the potential closure affects not only business owners, but also their employees and families. While El Comal operates as a mobile setup, other vendors face greater limitations.
“We're pretty much a restaurant on wheels so we can move around, right? But not everybody has that opportunity,” Gonzales said. “For example, the canopies, once we close down the canopies, where are they going to go? They can't just go and set up at a on a sidewalk or anything and we can.”
Additionally, vendors expressed concerns about what might come with a solution, noting hour changes would impact these small business drastically. However, they continue to keep their spirits high.
“I really hope that the City Council, the city has our back and we can work things out,” Gonzales said.
City officials and park operators will continue coordinating scheduled events ahead of a Coachella City Council meeting scheduled for Sept. 9.
