Council members say food trucks should not be parked on road near splash pad

Two council members this past week explained why they have decided to vote against having food trucks operate along the street near the new splash pad.

Council member Joel Mills does not agree food trucks should be parked on a roadway. He also argued the code changes go against the recommendations of “at least one city staff that represents the first responders that are going to have to show up to incidents should they occur,” referring to fire chief.

“I don’t think we should have food trucks on an open roadway,” Mills said, noting traffic often travels to the library and apartments. “I would probably be on board … if we diverted traffic on up to North Fourth Avenue. But in this case we’re going to have food trucks parked along the south side of North Third Avenue.”

Mills worried the code changes would set the city up for “a pretty bad incident.” He suggested a child without parental supervision could run carelessly to the street and be hit by on oncoming vehicle that may not see the child due to sightline issues from food trucks possibly being parked along the street.

“I think there are better opportunities for food trucks off-street in, say, an adjacent, city-owned parking lot that already has slower moving traffic,” Mills said. “I don’t think this is the optimal condition for food trucks. Not against food trucks. Happy to have them in our community.”

He encouraged fellow council members to give it some serious thought at the subsequent ordinance readings. Council member Stacy Simbro agreed with the sentiments and arguments shared by Mills. Council member Mark Hallam, who agrees with the changes, said the two make valid points.

“I’m a lot more comfortable with this now that it is limited to the south side,” Hallam said. “I think that’s a major improvement.”

Mayor Evelyn George noted the city had talked about eliminating some of the parking spots around the area so that there is better clearance. She said after speaking with the director of Newton Main Street, the food trucks would not be parked at the corner of the street but rather be near the open grassy areas.

Despite objections from Mills and Simbro, the council voted 4-2 to pass the second reading of the amended ordinance. Consideration of the third reading will decide whether the changes will be adopted into City Code. The code changes directly affect the south side of North Third Avenue West, north of the splash pad.

Existing ordinances do not allow parking on public property or in the public right-of-way except for designated locations in city parks and the downtown square. The ordinance amendment will codify the changes to allowing the parking of mobile food units, or food trucks, in this specified location.

According to the city’s website, food trucks have to apply for a one-year mobile food unit license. Premise permit applications for food trucks must be filled out by the property owner. The city’s current food truck ordinance does not allow units to park on city-owned property or on a city street except for the downtown square.

A premise permit is still required in those instances.

The splash pad made its debut in June this year. Ever since then it has attracted numerous families to the downtown park. The water features make for a quick and fun family outing during the hot summer months. The splash pad was made possible by a local group that fundraised more than $400,000 for its construction.