MONTEREY >> The Monterey City Council is considering amendments to the city’s sidewalk vending ordinance to bring it in line with state regulations and address local concerns.

Proposed changes include reducing the required distance between vendors from 15 feet to 10 feet, restricting unattended equipment outside of operating hours and limiting display heights to between 28 and 60 inches. The ordinance also clarifies rules for equipment and display placement, vending hours and the allowed locations.

Vendors requested expanded hours, larger vending areas, and vending along the seawall, but those were denied by city staff due to congestion, safety and access concerns, according to Tuesday’s agenda. The city staff also declined to allow vending within Custom House Plaza and along the seawall between Wharf 1 and the Harbormaster’s Office.

The changes come as the city anticipates the passing of Senate Bill 635 which would prohibit criminal background checks for sidewalk vendors.

Separately, the council is expected to approve an addendum to the environmental impact report for the El Estero Stormwater Diversion Project, part of the regional Pure Water Monterey Groundwater Replenishment initiative. The project would divert up to 209 acre-feet of stormwater per year from El Estero to the regional treatment plant for advanced purification, reducing pollution and expanding water reuse.

According to the addendum, the environmental impact report finds no new or increased issues beyond those identified in prior reports from 2015 and 2021. The project is slated to move forward if the council passes.

The Monterey City Council will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Monterey City Hall, 580 Pacific St. The meeting will be streamed online and can be participated in via Zoom at https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1607729333.