To the Editor:
Something smells very rotten indeed in the process regarding the proposals for food trucks in our city. The panel who toiled long and hard and the concerned citizens who attended those meetings have been completely disregarded. The panel was not even allowed to issue a final report after eight months of meetings. Worse, city staff reported that many issues were decided unanimously by the panel — totally false!
What is the rush in bringing this type of trade to our city? One can only assume that this is being driven by city staff as the final proposal is nearly identical to what was first proposed. This entire process makes a mockery of civic engagement and I fear what that impression holds for our future.
To be clear I am a supporter of food trucks and the convenience and vitality they can create — in specified locations. However, they must be regulated in the same way that other businesses are in those locations. It's patently unfair for bricks and mortar businesses to be controlled
as to signage, hours of operation, seating capacity, releasing cooking odors to name but a few and then allow new operators to roam our streets for 13 hours a day and have none of these restrictions.
The city faces long-term financial issues. The tax revenue generated by my industry — meals tax, licenses and permits and property tax — will not be replaced or enhanced by allowing food trucks in our historic district. (My business has experienced double digit declines in business on days when we've had trucks on the street — hardly the win-win staff
has been touting). Nor does their appearance enhance our brand as tourism destination. Why do we seek to be like everyone else when it is our uniqueness that drives the vitally important tourism spend? There were many analogies drawn between D.C. and Arlington and their food truck scene during the panel meetings. I need not tell you we are not those locations — we don't have the density and we have a truly unique and historic asset to protect.
And let’s talk for a moment about the city’s oft expressed goal of jobs with living wages. We’re very proud of the fact that our company pays good wages and provides health and retirement benefits to our employees. That is no easy feat and what do you think will go out the window should our business decline by 10 percent or more each day?
As the president of the Food Truck Association said at one of the panel meetings — “we have a fundamental difference of opinion. Food truck operators believe we should be able to operate whenever and wherever we want.” Yes, there is a fundamental difference. We as a community — Council, residents, City staff and businesses — have all agreed that we will work within some highly restrictive confines to protect our historic downtown and we do that for ourselves but also for the economic health of our city. I urge our leaders to consider the unintended consequences of the proposal being brought forward.
Finally take a look at the video of the Planning Commission meeting May 6. The commissioner's concerns about the process and the consequences could not be more spot on.
Our city deserves a better, more transparent and thoughtful answer to the issue of food trucks.
Jody Manor
Bittersweet
Alexandria