That is how Doug Hayden, director of the California Farmers Market Association, described the impending move of the market to West Valley College at a city planning commission meeting on April 27.

At the meeting, the planning commissioners voted 4-0 to grant a conditional-use permit to the farmers market.

Chairwoman Susie Nagpal excused herself from voting because she lives in the vicinity of the college. Commissioners Michael Schallop and Mike Uhl were absent.

The first market at the college will be on May 14.

Before the commissioners could vote, though, some residents who live near West Valley College raised a few concerns about the move.

"Allendale Avenue is fairly busy during the weekdays. Weekends are the only quiet time we have," said Simon Zarrin. "As much as we like the idea of living close to one, we know that the market will grow with time."

Zarrin said the rules that were set forth in the permit are not always enforceable.

Lyle McCarty, a resident of Harleigh Drive, said neighbors in the Saratoga High School area had complained about noise, traffic and odor issues because of the market.

"I wonder how the conditions would change near the college," he said.

McCarty said he is afraid that some customers at the market might start parking their cars near his house.

Bret England, another local resident, said he felt the market will be too close to Allendale Avenue. He suggested that the farmers market be moved to another parking lot that is situated more toward Fruitvale Avenue.

Hayden, the market's representative, tried to assuage the neighbors when he spoke.

"If there is any problem, I want to hear about it and take care of it," he said. "We will be paying $200 a day so that a staff member from West Valley College can help us."

Hayden said because of the college's huge parking lot, the increase in traffic due to the market would be like a drop in the ocean.

"We rarely get more than 120 or 150 cars at one time," he said.

Hayden told the neighbors that the customers at the farmers market like to park as close to the market as possible. "They want to stick the bags of produce in their cars before they get more stuff," he said.

He also told the neighbors that he had little choice when it came to choosing the parking lot for the market. "I think we were given the parking lot which is the farthest from the college buildings," he said. "The market had to move out of the high school parking lot because of the upcoming opening of the PAL center and the increasing use of school property for extracurricular events."

Planning Commissioner Manny Cappello said the benefits of having the farmers market in the city far outweigh the disadvantages.

"He has moved once. I do not think he wants to move again. I think he will do anything he can to mitigate any problems," added Commissioner Robert Kundtz.

The conditional-use permit states that the market cannot be set up before 7:30 a.m. Live music will be allowed but cannot be amplified.

Hayden also thanked the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District for letting the market use the Saratoga High School property for 10 years.

The Saratoga Farmers Market will be in Parking Lot 3 of West Valley College starting May 14. The market is held every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Parking is free.