Warren residents might have more access to food trucks if the City Council approves a new ordinance that sets guidelines for those vendors.
A food truck ordinance is currently in the works and the City Council held a first-read on it during a June 11 meeting.
The ordinance would set requirements for several things including location, signage, music, and hours of operation.
“The idea of the ordinance is to promote and encourage more food trucks because I think everyone likes them,” said Council Secretary Mindy Moore. “We just want to make sure that we have something in place and that we have everything spelled out.”
Council members said they have received feedback from residents that they would like to have food trucks in their neighborhood regularly and according to City Council special attorney Jeffrey Schroder, an ordinance is necessary to facilitate that.
“We have to enable that through a permit process because if a food truck just shows up on Common Road, someone could call the police and complain that they are on public property so there needs to be a process,” said Schroder. “This first reading is meant to be a kick start to a conversation.”
The City Council plans to hold a committee of the whole meeting, which has not yet been scheduled, and get input from food truck vendors, various city departments and residents. Information garnered at that meeting will help to shape the city’s first food truck ordinance.
“We are not attempting to over legislate, we want to protect municipal interests and proprietors who are operating within the city because everybody has to play by the same rules,” said Councilman Jonathan Lafferty. “Let’s have a conversation, let’s bring the proprietors in so we can understand their needs, and let’s craft a really good, quality ordinance that works for everyone.”
Moore said food truck vendors have contacted City Council members asking that an ordinance be developed to “open things up” for them and allow access to various locations around the city.
Source link
