A public hearing is likely to be scheduled in early August so that citizens can tell the Edmonds City Council what they think about changing the city code to allow mobile food trucks and other mobile vendors throughout the city.
Councilmembers had many questions for city staff about the idea, which has been explored in several Edmonds Planning Board meetings before coming before the council.
Food trucks would have to pay a $200 yearly fee and would have to obtain permission to park on property — whether city-owned or private land, associate city planner Kernen Lien told the council. Trucks would not be allowed to park along a city street that was designated for parking or traffic use, dispelling the notion that “trucks would be lined up along 5th Avenue,” he said.
Responding to questions from Councilmember Lora Petso, Lien said that the planning board considered — but decided against — putting zoning restrictions on where food trucks could locate, preferring to “let the marketplace decide.” Petso then asked if the city could add language “to prevent food carts from locating a certain distance from a competing establishment,” and Lien noted that the City of Seattle does have such restrictions to protect its restaurants.
Petso also suggested the city consider a distance limit for trucks that want to locate near residential areas, to ensure that no one has a food truck parked in front of their house. And she wondered if it would be possible to have some sort of design standards for the trucks, although Lien said that would be tricky — and maybe not even desirable — to enforce, since each vehicle has a character of its own that essentially makes it a food truck in the first place.
Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas said that while she understood the concerns of downtown restaurant owners worried about the competition from the cheaper food, she views it as similar to a competing restaurant opening up across the street.
Councilmember Diane Buckshnis moved to schedule a public hearing on the issue, which the council voted unanimously to do — and will likely be held the first week in August.
The council also decided to postpone the awarding of a contract for Talbot Road storm drain improvements to mitigate drainage issues after discussing a number of concerns about the project impacts, including the possible effects on fish in nearby Perrinville Creek. Councilmembers will take up the project again at its July 17 meeting, giving staff time to address council questions.
Love the food truck idea as it is with “Here and There” on Wednesdays in Edmonds. Great food. There is a front page article about food trucks in the Costco Connection that came in today’s mailbox. I am all in favor of providing another option for available places to grab a bite that has good food and is quick and portable. It is a good opportunity for small businesses, especially in this economy.
I’m not real excited about this. I know what it is like being a business in downtown Edmonds. They pay very high rent, city licenses, gov taxes, b & o taxes plus more, employee taxes..get the message? I don’t see this as a competing restaurant moving in across the street. Unless you factor in one moving in and NOT paying any rent or expenses. A “truck” doesn’t have to pay all the money out…they leave with no money touching Edmonds and its community, with the exception of a cheap “mobile tax”. They “take the money and run.” I know if I had a restaurant in Edmonds I would be mad at the concept. (downtown). Now, 99 that is different because there aren’t many options for food there. Plus there is a traveling concept there anyway. Mass transit people from all parts going through vs locals downtown.
I agreed wholeheartedly with Joy. On 99 fine but not downtown. It will compete unfairly with the businesses/ restaurants there and also will “cheapen” the look of downtown since there will not be any way to regulate the look of those trucks. It is a bad idea for downtown aka the bowl, but a great idea for 99 or the larger arteries in town.
Joy, I am a retailer in edmonds and do not find the rent to be excessive compared to other retail areas. edmonds does not have a b& o tax. mobile food venders would be subject to all other city licensing and taxes. they will be required to collect sales tax. I would urge you to read the proposed ordience especialy sections g,i,l. .mobil food venders have a investment in there business and are subject to health department rules as well as other state regulations. Betty ,as far as cheapeng the look of downtown i would incurage you to look at the may issue of seattle met and see how colorful and vibrant the trucks are. these are business people who know that curb appeal is very important. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
one correction i would like to make is the proposed ordiance is about nonmotorized and motorize mobile vending units not just food
City Council is obviously going to have to pick up the pace if they are to adequately deal with a number of very significant issues coming onto their agenda during the remainder of this year. First they will have the challenge of balancing the budget for 2013. That will quickly be followed by: completing the city’s Strategic Plan, ruling on the Port’s proposed Rezone of Harbor Square, determining whether to send a proposal for an RFA (Regional Fire Authority) to the voters, and determining whether to send a proposal for a MPD (Metropolitan Park District) to the voters. The timing for the RFA and MPD proposals is not yet certain, but they are likely to come before council before the end of 2012.
These are all major issues that are in addition to the councils normal agenda items.
Ron, you left out another very important one, developmental agreements that has been in limbo for I believe over 6 months
Regarding these businesses, a.k.a. mobile food trucks, I would say it’s a possible plus if handled correctly. Many good cities (Portland, LA, Austin, Nashville, NYC) have leveraged the interest in this business models to enhance business activity, increase revenues, spark-up neighborhoods and the like. As to competing with other Edmonds businesses, well, welcome to competition. And haven’t we noticed how the mobile model is already embraced during the Taste of Edmonds, somewhat during the Saturday Market, the Arts Fair and other events where small businesses set up their portable equipment or swing open their truck or trailer doors to serve our community. I would let the properly licensed businesses go wherever the customers are and not get up tight with good ol’ American know-how! Come on Edmonds, we can do it.
You’re right, Don, redevelopment of the post office property would be underway if the development agreement issue had been resolved. This was turned over to the city attorney last August.