Committee debates loosening downtown food-truck restrictions; businesses seek time to weigh in

Councilor Perry and Member Dan Cutler described proposed changes to the city's food-truck ordinance intended to allow food trucks to use regular parking spaces citywide except for accessible spots.

"The proposed change is striking the words, downtown corridor . . . so that the ordinance simply reads, if you are a food truck, you can park in any regular parking spot, as long as it's not an accessible spot," Member Cutler said. He added that the ordinance would still require payment of parking meters but said the ordinance language is unclear on whether trucks must feed meters continuously or can settle payment at day's end.

Councilor Perry said downtown business owners asked the committee to wait until after busy event weekends — in particular Taste of Northampton and the Northampton Haunt — so businesses have time to discuss the changes. "They would like to have space to discuss what our plans are," Councilor Perry said. She also said business outreach raised safety and lighting questions tied to the lighting ordinance, and she suggested inviting those who helped craft the lighting rules to brief the committee.

Member Cutler said he expects resistance from downtown restaurants concerned about trucks taking parking spaces but called the change "worth an experiment," adding the committee could reinstate restrictions if problems arise.

Committee members agreed to place food-truck policy discussion on a future agenda and to coordinate with business groups before advancing any ordinance changes. The committee did not vote on any ordinance changes at the meeting.