CRESWELL — With no ordinance in place, Creswell city officials are working out logistics after hearing concerns about a streetside food truck location.
“We do not want them blocking businesses,” city manager Michelle Amberg said.
There have been issues noted about cart locations around town near the Creswell Library, Pazzo Restaurant, and near the former Mexican restaurant, prompting questions about food truck parking during business hours and overnight.
But without a written ordinance, there are no teeth for the City of Creswell to enforce or regulate vendor locations, hours, and maintenance requirements.
The ordinance should clarify permissible locations, hours of operation, and health standards for local food truck vendors, according to a memo addressed to the council at its June 24 work session.
Local food trucks have historically been located on private property in Creswell, but recently, a barbecue food truck has been operating on Oregon Avenue on a public right-of-way.
Other cities, like Springfield, Cottage Grove, and Eugene, have had to address these concerns, too. Springfield and Eugene passed their ordinances in 2013, and Cottage Grove did the same in 2014. All ordinances outline rules to prevent hazards to pedestrians, such as prohibiting operations on sidewalks or in public parks without approval. Eugene has gone as far as setting up zones for food trucks to operate.
Council president Alonzo Costilla voiced concerns about food trucks possibly being siphoned away from brick-and-mortar restaurants.
“There is no language … that says food trucks can’t park right in front of restaurants,” he said, suggesting that the City create designated parking lots for food trucks. Council also considered not allowing food trucks to operate within 25 feet of a brick-and-mortar without consent from the owners and considered potential benefits to local businesses, such as Bigfoot Fudge Factory, because of increased foot traffic.
“As long as they are OK with it,” Costilla said. “I would hate for there to be some kind of dispute over them parking in front of a restaurant.”
The ordinance needs to be edited for clarity and will be revisited at the next work session in July, with a final vote expected in August.
