Minutes 07/12/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 12, 2016 16 - 216 - Adoption of an ordinance to amend Article X of Chapter 32 of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (2006) (Food and Ice Cream Trucks) by amending Section 32-276 (Definitions) to permit food trailers and by amending Section 32-284 (Operating in the Downtown Area) to authorize the City Manager to establish regulations and guidelines governing the operation of food trucks in the vicinity of Portsmouth Pavilion on days when concerts are scheduled. Vision Principles: Innovation and Change, A Robust and Prospering Economy, and Enhanced Quality of Life. Background:  City Council directed city staff to evaluate whether a food truck program could work in Portsmouth and to draft options for how and where food trucks could operate for Council to consider.  Staff presented these findings to City Council, who recommended a focus on an “all of the above” type approach.  City Council approved City Code and Zoning Ordinance amendments to allow for the operation of self-propelled food trucks in the city of Portsmouth.  After approximately five months of food trucks being able to legally operate in Portsmouth, staff has been forced to turn away more applications for food trailers than it has approved permits for food trucks.  The management company for the Portsmouth Pavilion has expressed the opinion that having food trucks within or near the Pavilion on certain concert or special event days, subject to certain limitations, would be beneficial to the success of the venue. Discussion:  The proposed amendment would allow food trailers to be permitted under the same regulations and processes as food trucks.  The existing guidelines are adequate to ensure that any food trailer approved for a Food Truck Permit would be subject to the same high standards as a food truck.  Inspections of various food trailers has convinced staff that previous fears about permitting food trailers were unfounded, and that to repeat the previous statement, the regulations and processes previously approved by City Council will ensure that all permitted food trailers would be beneficial to the city and its citizens.  City Council had previously instructed staff to not allow food trucks near the Pavilion on concert days. However, based on the opinion of the management company that food trucks may actually complement the venue in certain circumstances, the City Manager’s office asked staff to craft a Code amendment that would allow for the possibility of food trucks vending on selected concert days. The vending would be subject to reasonable guidelines and regulations to be adopted by the City Manager and designed to promote public safety, traffic control, and the success of the Pavilion venue.  The City Manager will update the Food Truck Program Policies and Procedures Manual to reflect the change in allowing food trucks to operate at or near the Pavilion under the appropriate circumstances. Financial Impact:  Food trailers would have a positive financial impact through their payment of meals taxes. Staff Recommends:  Adoption of the ordinance.Vision Principles: Innovation and Change, A Robust and Prospering Economy, Enhanced Quality of Life. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Staff will notify food trailer owners who had been previously turned away that they may now apply for Food Truck Permits.  Staff will work with local food truck organizations to notify their members that food trailers are now legal in Portsmouth. Motion by Dr. Edmonds, and seconded by Ms. Psimas, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: