Spoonfed (Raleigh)

Just came back from another meeting of the Law and Public Safety Committee’s discussion on the ordinance governing food trucks.  It is an interesting debate that on the surface seems fickle  but once one witnesses the depth of the issues it becomes clear the headache involved on all three sides of the issue, the food trucks, the restaurants, and the city all seem tired from the year-long-go-round.  There was much commentary that lead me to believe that still, passion trumps practicality when some speak on the issue, yet there were comments from all sides that alluded to the possibility of a mutually beneficial agreement, although it still seems far, the City Council will chisel away at the problem.

The next step, the city will be assessing by completing a study done to the Downtown area, as well as some residential and industrial zones.  They will be looking for how many spots are actually available for Food Trucks, considering certain ordinance rules such as judging by distance allowances, 50′, 100′, 150′ from either a business front door, business property line or residential property line.  Mike from Klausies made special mention to Council-woman Mary Ann Baldwin at the end of the meeting commending her on proposing this study be done.  My personal take:  I agree this study must be done.  Most of the points made today were wasted breath without knowing what you are actually arguing about.  This study will give a perspecitve on if the current wording of the ordinance is ‘actually’ allowing for Food Trucks to park and sell at all or if the ordinance read one thing but actually says ‘No Food Trucks in Raleigh’.  This study may show that under the proposed ordinance, there may be 100 places a Food Truck could park or 3 or none.  Until this study is done, the arguing it moot.  BUT!  this study should only be used as a gage for language and a starting point BECAUSE! All of this distance restrictions (in regards to brick and mortar business) are not a given.  Restaurants open and close everyday.  So these ‘available spaces’ position and number will fluctuate as the city landscape changes.  They cannot be used as a standard.

Another point.  Enforcement.  Councilman Odom’s most verbal concern is who will enforce any regulations set by the ordinance.  Raleigh Police Department?  As if chasing Food Trucks should be as important as fighting real crime.  Or should there be a special position created, with a bipartisan third party, that can’t be swayed by the lure of hot pizza, to watch over the Food Trucks, walking the streets, on the weekends with a tape measure and a decibel meter.  My take:  That is a wonderful use of dwindling government funds (sarcastically).  I would be perfect for the job (seriously)…what’s the government pension plan like? (jokingly).

Another concern.  The Sound Ordinance.  It’s null and void.  It’s universal across all possibilities, barking dogs, rowdy drunks, Food and Repair Trucks alike.  The general rule:  Someone must complain, the enforcer (police or whomever) will come out, assess, offer citation or warning.  Offender will be kicked off, or forced to build a sound box, or buy a quiet generator if they wish to proceed at this location.  My Take:  If this goes thru as an issue it will possibly protect the peace and quiet of some citizens but will most likely offer a loophole for ‘anyone’ that doesn’t want a Food Truck anywhere to cause some trouble.  I’m sure whomever is designated ‘enforcer’ should install a separate phone line just for these nuisance calls, they will be receiving lots of them.

There is a solution…somewhere…out there…

The results of the proposed study are due to be revealed on the Tuesday, August 30th meeting.