Pasco shaved ice vendor can’t operate without change in city code

When two families opened a Pasco shave ice business in 2014, the owners wanted to set up shop by a neighborhood so customers young and old could ride their bikes to get a frosty treat.

They found a gravel lot near the TRAC facility and Gesa Stadium, invested in the location by having a power post installed and quickly grew their fan base with active social media campaigns.

WE Ice had two successful seasons at the 6403 Burden Blvd. property.

But owners Crystal and Robb Worcott and Sarah and Jeremiah Evans knew the trailer might have to move come 2016.

City of Pasco officials informed the WE Ice owners last year that a mistake had been made in granting the business a temporary vendor permit.

WE Ice has not been compliant with a 500-foot spacing requirement between vendors. A taco truck near Viera’s Bakery sits about 370 feet away, and Crystal Worcott admits that truck has been there longer.

Itinerant vendors in what the city calls the Interstate 182 overlay zone — Burden Boulevard and roads 68 and 100 — are subject to additional zoning standards. Those were adopted after people complained to the city in 2008 and 2009 about haphazard and unsightly conditions associated with temporary businesses.

Outside of that commercial area, the requirement typically is 250 feet, said Rick White, Pasco’s community and economic development director.

The Worcott and Evans families accepted the fact that they would have to leave and found a new location in Richland for their trailer, but customers pleaded with them to stay in Pasco.

And to show their continued support of the business, those fans showed up to the Pasco Planning Commission in April and the Pasco City Council meeting on May 9.

The owners had realized that their only other option was to request a code amendment for temporary business spacing standards.

City staff, who’ve been working with the Worcotts and Evans so the business can stay in Pasco, have recommended dropping the standard to 300 feet for all vendors in that area.

On May 16, the Pasco Municipal Code modification will go before the council for a vote.

Council members appeared to be in agreement with the request at their workshop meeting.

The only comment came from Councilman Saul Martinez, who said he was OK with the amendment but was trying to “get a visual of what 300 feet looks like.”

Crystal Worcott said the two couples are hopeful that it will pass, but really just want an answer either way.

“Even if it’s ‘no,’ it’s OK. Just tell us so we can move on and go somewhere else,” she told the Herald.

Worcott described their treat as a mix between shaved ice and ice cream, with “crazy toppings.” She said they shave the ice very fine, and then apply 100 percent pure cane sugar flavorings, which makes it almost creamy.

The Worcotts and Evans live in Burbank with four kids each. The adults all have full-time jobs, but they also oversee two WE Ice trailers that they take to weddings, birthday parties, open houses and the Southridge Sports Complex.

The Burden Boulevard location is on a partially developed lot owned by Don Pratt, she said.

That trailer normally opens in mid-March and operates on weekends until Memorial Day. Then it is open every day through the summer, only closing Sundays for family time.

Worcott said it is an ideal spot for now, because cars park in the big gravel lot around the trailer and customers bring blankets to sit on nearby grass.

Without the required permit, they haven’t been able to set up shop and are now two months behind.

Worcott said it has been a good learning experience working with the city. The only time she has been frustrated with the process was at the last council meeting, when the code amendment was not addressed until 8:45 p.m. — one hour and 45 minutes into the meeting.

But she says the owners are flattered by all of the people who care about their “silly mobile trailer.”

If council members approve the code amendment tonight, White said the city will turn around and issue the business permit May 17.

Then Worcott said WE Ice hopes to return the love to its customers with a special re-opening sometime this week.

This story was originally published May 15, 2016 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Pasco shaved ice vendor can’t operate without change in city code."