Council advances draft food-truck regulations, directs staff to return with code language

Council advanced a staff-recommended pilot food-truck program and asked staff to return with draft code language and refined location maps.

Kendall Blake presented the draft ordinance language establishing a standalone food-truck chapter, a corridor/reserved-location approach for 12 designated zones across parks and downtown, required documentation for operators, and a delayed licensing effective date of March 1, 2027 with the fee waived during the initial pilot. Blake said inspections would be coordinated with the Washington Township Fire Department and that violations would be subject to a misdemeanor penalty under the proposed code. "This is intended to provide clear expectations for the food truck operators while supporting safety, accessibility and positive experience for the public," Blake said.

Council discussed logistics and site-specific concerns — impacts on concession stands at athletic complexes, the possibility of revenue-sharing with youth organizations, enforcement ladders (warnings vs. immediate misdemeanor), and whether trucks should be located in the park interior rather than adjacent to Riverside Drive for safety and sight-line reasons. After discussion and refinements (suggestions to add Avery North, move certain spots in Kaufman and Scioto parks, and monitor impacts during the pilot), Mayor Ambrose Grooms moved to advance the recommendations and council approved the motion by roll call. Staff will return with formal draft code language and updated mapping for a future meeting.