<p>Food trucks likely will never be permitted in downtown Oak Bluffs, according to draft regulations presented at a public reading at Wednesday night’s selectmen’s meeting. At the well-attended meeting, the public and the selectmen spoke out passionately on both sides of the issue — in support of the allowance of food trucks in the downtown area, or in opposition.</p>
Food trucks likely will never be permitted in downtown Oak Bluffs, according to draft regulations presented at a public reading at Wednesday night’s selectmen’s meeting. At the well-attended meeting, the public and the selectmen spoke out passionately on both sides of the issue — in support of the allowance of food trucks in the downtown area, or in opposition.
This spring Bill Coggins, the property owner of a small alleyway on 16 Circuit avenue, asked selectmen to approve two businesses he wants to situate in the alleyway: jewelry stand Akoya Pick-A-Pearl and the Irie Bites food truck. Selectmen approved a license for the jewelry stand, but held off approving the food truck, saying that the town has not passed any regulations for food trucks in the downtown area.
On Wednesday Mr. Coggins pleaded with the selectmen to allow him to operate the food truck on his property for one season and then reconsider. He has invested considerable resources into beautifying the property, which had been an empty lot for decades, he said, and beautification is in the interest of a downtown area.
“Help me allay the cost, which was substantial,” said Mr. Coggins.
Selectman Michael Santoro said allowing Mr. Coggins to install a food truck would set a precedent for the town.
“No one buys a piece of property unless they know they have the permits in place,” Mr. Santoro said. “You put the cart before the horse, you did that, we didn’t do that.”
“I didn’t put the cart before the horse,” Mr. Coggins answered. “I have been told I had the legal right to do this.” Mr. Coggins has argued that because there are no current ordinances outlawing food trucks, they should be allowed.
Though Mr. Santoro participated in discussion of the regulations, an an owner of an Oak Bluffs restaurant he cannot vote on the issue.
The draft regulations presented Wednesday would prohibit food trucks on all downtown streets, including Circuit avenue, Kennebec avenue, Oak Bluffs avenue and Circuit avenue extension.
“It points to the intense congestion and development in the downtown area that makes it impractical for food trucks,” said town administrator Robert Whritenour, who drafted the regulations.
“What we’re trying to do is identify areas where the food truck could serve the public good.”
Mr. Whritenour called the policy an “honest attempt of the community to grapple with the issue of food trucks in our downtown.”
The regulations offer the selectmen an alternative to banning the trucks altogether, but make it impossible for a food truck stationed in a business district to gain approval.
“I don’t hear anybody on the board saying we need to ban food trucks,” said board of selectman chairman Walter Vail. “At the same time, the policy that is written here . . . is saying no food trucks on Circuit ave.”
“I think you need to look at the nature of our business community, which I don’t think is conducive to a food truck industry,” said Gail Barmarkian. She said food trucks stationed in urban areas primarily service a lunchtime crowd.
One audience member said his family had lived on Kennebec avenue for 50 years. He worried that the food truck would “back up” on his street, and add to the nighttime “action” of the area, encouraging noise and skirmishes.
“I think the town needs something interesting,” said selectman Greg Coogan, the only selectman present to voice his approval of food trucks.
Irie Bites food truck owner Peter Simon offered a petition with 120 names in support of his business venture. Mr. Vail also cited a petition with 34 signatures opposing the food truck license.
In the end, selectmen opted not to vote on the regulations. Instead, Mr. Whritenour said he plans to continue to circulate the regulations among town officials, and that there will likely be another public reading of the regulations.
“Hopefully it will at some point be placed for consideration of the board again,” said Mr. Whritenour.
“We’re disappointed that the selectmen weren’t more open-minded and supportive of Irie Bites,” Mr. Simon said. “Our plan is to be at the fair and at special events, and we will explore alternative locations. Wait till next year!”
Comments
Ban them. Do not license them
deshandra brown obBan them. Do not license them. Why allow a food truck to siphon off business from a 'brick and mortar' restaurant, that is a property taxpayer.
"Siphon off"!? what if the
Reality Check Tisbury"Siphon off"!? what if the food truck had better food at better prices and belonged to someone who could never afford to buy a building in any business district but loves and knows how to feed people and deserves the freedom to do so. Claiming restaurant owners have more of a right than a food truck guy is extremely classist, oppressive, and unamerican. The town will probably charge for permits anyways. Gosh. Hating the idea of a food truck sounds like hating life. Live and let live. If you don't like it, live somewhere that isn't densely populated. At least see how it works out before getting so rigid.
Apparently you have your head
deshandra brown obApparently you have your head in the sand. Or somewhere else unprintable. Who do you think pays the bills for town services? The taxpayers of real property do. You cannot just open a restaurant in a residential property for the same reason. How about YOU do us a favor and stay in Tisbury, or take your own advice and 'live somewhere else'.
"Siphon off"!? what if the
Quincy Dewing Tisbury"Siphon off"!? what if the food truck had better food at better prices and belonged to someone who could never afford to buy a building in any business district but loves and knows how to feed people and deserves the freedom to do so. Claiming restaurant owners have more of a right than a food truck gal/guy is extremely classist, oppressive, and unamerican. The town will probably charge for permits anyways. Gosh. Hating the idea of a food truck sounds like hating life. Live and let live. If you don't like it, live somewhere that isn't densely populated. At least see how it works out before getting so rigid.
It appears that a food truck
Bruce Stone EdgartownIt appears that a food truck operator has also had to undergo substantial expense. The truck is expensive, he has to pay rent for the lot he is operating on, and, I believe, has had to undergo extensive renovations in his home where the food is prepared in order to meet Health regulations. Personally, I'd like to also see the addition of food carts like in Downtown Crossing in Boston. They add to a festive atmosphere and offer the opportunity for a working guy to run out for a $2 hot dog at lunch time instead of having to buy a $9 sandwich at a deli or restauratnt
There goes OB again!
VeryAnnoyed TisburyThere goes OB again! Beautification OB then why didn't the OB taxpayers buy it! That 50 year owner on Kennebec knows by now the OB in the summer time is busy with tourist. If you do not want the noise and traffic then move or become a B & B so you can profit instead being a business killer. Also, the other food truck that does business at beach won't that effect them? Mr. Coggins owns the property, the vehicle is parked on his property. The brick and mortar business, well Seasons is no more which would be the direct competition. The OB police will like that because of no more drunks at night. This food truck is a win win for a parties! It has a light carbon footprint, reasonable pricing, no alcohol or dancing. Only families that want a reasonable price meal.
Following the logic in
GregFollowing the logic in Deshandra Brown post, why not ban kiosks??...after all they are not property taxpayers! I have a better idea, next time you go into ANY brick & mortar store why not demand to see the business' receipts for their property taxes….or payroll taxes….don’t forget to check to see if they paid for their food, paper products, insurance, utilities, etc!! Reality Check is correct…business is business. I can’t think of anything more “American” that the Good Humor Ice Cream truck!!!!
Ok lets follow the logic in
deshandra brown obOk lets follow the logic in the 'Greg post' or the Multiple poster dummy 'reality check/quincy dewey'. If you have a t-shirt shop that you pay property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and insurance on, I'll just bring a 'kiosk' or push cart and park in front of YOUR business. And since my cost of operation is less, I can sell the t-shirts cheaper than you. Lets see how long you stay in business. And since you're pro-business, don't start whining if someone decides to open a 'gentleman's club. After all, thats about as "american' as Good humor trucks (which you cannot just operate any place you choose)
http://usatoday30.usatoday
OmnivorUS Chilmarkhttp://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2011-08-10-gourmet-food-t…
There are now estimated to be three million Food Trucks in the U.S. , contributing greatly to the U.S. economy.These are businesses that are supporting humans, just like "brick & mortar" restaurants and are every bit as viable. The notion that fod trucks are something less "upstanding" (a Selectman actually suggested that food truck operators be subject to "backround checks" is both classist and absurd.
It has been proven that food trucks stimulate food interest and actually could contribute to area restaurant growth. Food trucks raise the culinary bar.
Go park the food truck in
Brian white tisburyGo park the food truck in menemsha next to the Bite or the Homeport...or across the street from the chilmark store.... see how them folks dig it ....
I appreciate the passion that
peter simon ChilmarkI appreciate the passion that this little controversy has provoked. I keep returning to a simple but profound quote that sums it all up (for me)by Bob Marley: "One love/one heart/lets get together and feel alright."
I'm surprised that Mr.
Sara Crafts Oak BluffsI'm surprised that Mr. Santoro is allowed to discuss this matter openly, from his role as selectman, tho' I get that he can't vote on it. Doesn't his discussion influence the rest of the selectmen? Why are the selectmen in favor of banning "competition"? Why is competition among businesses in their purview to begin with?
Food trucks are trendy, fun,
sheilashapiro west tisburyFood trucks are trendy, fun, and welcome many other places in our area. If parking in our towns is problematic,maybe they should be allowed to park at public beaches where there is no question of competition.
When I first read the
Aron Levy West TisburyWhen I first read the headline, I was opposed to it on traffic and parking grounds.
Then I saw that it would be in Mr Coggins' alley. That seems like a no-brainer to me.
Plus Irie Bites is delicious. And much less expensive than anything else on Circuit.
Great idea - not in OB - try
obporch obGreat idea - not in OB - try Chilmark!
Surely you can't be serious?
Aron Levy West TisburySurely you can't be serious?
Food trucks go where the crowds are. And last I checked, there aren't many crowds in Chilmark.
excuse me, but wouldn't the
jeannette albuquerqueexcuse me, but wouldn't the crowds drawn by food trucks, which are extremely popular and do, also, pay taxes, be spending the time and money they save eating at the trucks in other stores and shops adjacent to their location? the more people on the streets, the more everyone benefits. the pie is big enough for everyone.
This picture looks less than
Carolyn EdgartownThis picture looks less than what OB represents.Yes, it's cheap! But, that's what it is---CHEAP! Try this out in Edgartown or Chilmark; see what happens.
Evidently you've never eaten
Aron West TisburyEvidently you've never eaten at a modern food truck.
Try some food from the Art Cliff truck, then tell me it's 'cheap.'
Inexpensive, yes. Cheap, no. Cheap has a negative connotation. And many, if not the vast majority of food trucks have awesome, well-made food for low prices.
I rescind my last comment about Chilmark. I'd like to see them all over the island!
I find no problem with
Carol Jennings Oak BluffsI find no problem with competition as far as food goes. No one has this kind of food. Try it for one season and see what the public wants instead of what the selectmen think should be done.
Food trucks have an unfair
Joel K KatamaFood trucks have an unfair competitive edge over bricks and mortar retailers. They don't pay rent, real state taxes, etc. They feed off the foot traffic that bricks and mortar retailers create. The question here is do you want to weaken the village in return for food truck options. I say protect the villages.
Add new comment