Tipp City food trucks idea gains momentum
The Planning Board wants downtown business owners’ thoughts on a proposal to create local food truck regulations.
The city’s Planning TIPP CITY —
Board wants to get a taste of downtown business owners’ thoughts on a proposal to create local food truck regulations.
Board members met Feb. 12 with Matt Spring, city planner and zoning administrator, to consider whether they want regulations and, if so, what they might include.
The city codes now have no regulations, said Spring. Food trucks have not been permitted in the city except as part of special events such as the Mum Festival, he said.
Plans for a new event in the works the downtown in June mention “a wide array of food trucks” is being planned.
Spring provided the board with copies of the Miami County Public Health Department’s mobile food operation plan requirements.
The board talked about where food trucks should be allowed with residential areas topping the list of areas where they would be excluded.
Board member Jamie DiSantis said she could see several areas being attractive to food trucks including the downtown, athletic fields at Kyle Park and near the aquatic center.
“I think it is a good thing for the community. A lot of them (food trucks) have a following,” she said.
“I would be in favor of opening it up, and seeing what happens,” said board Chairman Andrew Thornbury, adding otherwise the board could talk about “what ifs” forever.
He suggested the city hold the public hearing and let the downtown community know when the hearing would be held.
Spring said he would draft an ordinance and schedule a public hearing in March. He wanted to hear the board’s thoughts before putting together proposed regulations, he said.
Among areas of regulations could include a yearly registration fee, hours for operation and locations for trucks to park.
“It is a popular thing, particularly in bigger cities. Why not invite it if we can?” he said.