A small town will be looking at a big topic as they start a discussion on their city’s food truck law.
Ripon is a small California town, with a population of about 15,000. It has a small town atmosphere with a distinct identity and downtown area.
However, this small town could make some changes as it looks at its current food truck law that restricts the operation of these trucks in the city. The discussion, to be held July, is in its infancy and just beginning after the members of the public brought up the topic.
Food trucks have been great additions and distinct trademarks of towns, but they also carry a lot of complexities for cities attempting to seek a balance between supporters and their opposition.
1. Food trucks can be difficult topics for cities
One of the reasons food trucks are complicated for cities is because there is no one size fits all approach. Cities may find themselves balancing food and traffic safety with the voices of support and opposition for food trucks.
The National League of Cities has said that most cities are “legally ill-equipped” for the expansion in food trucks. Many city ordinances have previously pertained to ice cream trucks, hot dog carts, sidewalk peddlers, and other operators.
According to the National League of Cities, modern food trucks can have high-tech cooking equipment and sanitation devices that can provide safe food that is prepared to order. However, these trucks also take up more space, require more safety and health oversight, and cater to unique audiences.
Generally, supporters of strict regulations claim that food trucks are unsanitary, congest sidewalks and streets, and diminish urban quality of life. In contrast, supporters have advocated that food trucks can provide high-quality food, revitalize public space, and compete with other businesses in a fair way.
2. The City of Ripon currently generally bans food trucks
The City of Ripon’s municipal code restricts food truck operation. Generally, it bans people from having vehicles, wagons, or pushcarts that sell goods. This would include food trucks.
There are permission and time restrictions that include getting a permit from the chief of police, and,
if a truck receives permission to operate, they are required to operate solely within the area the permit allows. If that is violated, they could have their permit revoked and have wait six months to reapply.
Despite the restrictions, food trucks have been used for private events by the likes of the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, but permits had to be obtained.
Ripon’s City Council will be hearing from the Ripon Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday as they discuss a survey from the Chamber and their ordinance dealing with food trucks.
3. Ripon could be concerned about the businesses and the appearance of the city
The prospect of inviting food trucks into the city is not necessarily coming at random. There is actual community interest, and the Chamber has received inquiries from food truck operators about Ripon.
When it comes to concern over food trucks in a town like Ripon, the main concern appears to be how well they will treat the city, which the Chamber noted has been a contention from some communities.
Some businesses worry about food trucks and their customers leaving behind trash, while others are concerned about the impact they would have on their brick and mortar businesses.
Formally, the Ripon Chamber of Commerce has not taken a position on the topic of food trucks.
However, they will be providing the Ripon City Council with a survey of key stakeholders, which includes the brick and mortar businesses that could either benefit or lose from the addition of food trucks.
While the data will be shared tonight, Chamber CEO/President Tamara Spade shared that the data was not unanimous. Some businesses are supportive of food trucks, but others are resistant.
4. Food variety could help keep people's money in Ripon
According to Ripon’s Economic Development Incentive Program, the city has had difficulty in attracting non-residential businesses and it has also experienced some sales tax leakage, generally, in the retail sector, this means that people are spending their money outside of the local market. Despite this, the Ripon Chamber still sees economic development trending in a good direction.
“I think currently it’s good. All of our buildings downtown are full,” said Spade. “If any of them go vacant, they’re usually rented out or leased out within weeks even if they go on the market. Most of the time they don’t even hit the market.”
It’s not readily known whether the inclusion of food trucks would bring in additional people or additional revenue to the city, but, food truck supporters thought of the situation in different terms.
“The people who thought it was beneficial thought it would bring in different types of food that are not offered in Ripon and would keep people here in Ripon rather than going to Modesto or outskirts...,” said Spade.
If the food trucks generate a retaining effect on Ripon consumers and have them spend their money more often in Ripon than another city, the potential of adding food variety to the small town could prevent issues like retail leakage.