Big Ideas for Small Business: Food Truck- Executive Summary for City Council 4.25.11

MOBILE FOOD CART & FOOD TRUCK EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CD/ED COMMITTEES

Ordinance #210-11 4-25-11

Project Location: Citywide Purpose of Legislation Ordinance #210-11 under the authorization from the Director of Public Health and Capital Projects seeks to amend multiple sections of the codified ordinances of Cleveland relating to vendors to supplement the codified ordinances by enacting new sections, streamlining the approval processes relating to mobile food shops and to rename Chapter 675 to “Street Vendors.” Background of Food Carts Before Cleveland’s Food Cart Pilot Program was launched in 2010, an understanding of the economic and social implications of Cleveland’s growing food cart industry needed to be addressed:

1. What extent do food carts serve as an entry-point into long-term entrepreneurship/micro-business ownership?

2. Will food carts provide beneficial economic opportunities for residents of Cleveland?

3. What effects do food carts have on street vitality and connections Sustainable Food Cart Pilot Program With proper permits pulled and inspections conducted, the pilot program will allow foods to be prepared and cooked on-site. The program is also to encourage sustainable business practices, including composting, recycling, and the use of local food. It will be the responsibility of the food cart operator to clean the surrounding area (60 foot radius). Concessionaires are also responsible for reaching agreements with the program partners for the use of amenities, such as electrical and water service. Original Mobile Food Cart 1920’s – (horse vending cart)

In 2010, a new pilot program called “Cleveland’s Sustainable Food Cart Program” was created to provide loan and grant funding to 10 Food Cart operators that would be selected under written guidelines and approved by a committee.

Food Cart / Truck Legislation

The purpose of the pilot program: (1) provide the public with a more diverse culinary option; (2) promote small business entrepreneurship; (3) expand the use of locally grown food; (4) utilize local artists to incorporate creative design for the carts; and (5) to increase activity in the public realm at various designated locations in the City. Cleveland’s Sustainable Food Cart Program allowed 10 mobile carts in 2010. Identified locations include: Public Square, PlayhouseSquare, CSU & CWRU campuses, North Coast Harbor, and a neighborhood outside of Downtown to be determined.

Summary of Revisions to Ordinance 210-11 (see attachment)

Legislation will authorize mobile food carts and trucks to operate Citywide.

Downtown currently only allows hot dog vending. Specific zones will be created

with the approval of the Director of Capital Projects. Legislation will not be

required to establish zones, just support from the local Councilperson.

Legislation will streamline departments, processing and fees. Currently, each

food cart requires legislation as part of the permit process. This will no longer be

required.

Specific zones will be created with the approval of Director of Capital Projects,

City Planning and the local council person.

All mobile vending units shall have valid permits and must comply with all

regulatory requirements. Permits must be obtained before operating inside the

City limits of Cleveland. Permits expire one year after the date when they are

approved, and must be renewed on or before expiration date; permits are non-

transferable.

You must be located 100 linear feet from an existing fixed restaurant location in

the appropriate commercial zoning district.

If operating from the sidewalk in the public right-of-way, the sidewalk has to be

at least 10 feet wide and vendor must maintain 6 feet wide or more clearance to

allow for pedestrian traffic and must be located at least 10 feet of a crosswalk,

another mobile food shop or any doorway or the prolongation of any doorway

width to the curb line.

Codified ordinance for food cart vending is totally separated from non-food

“peddlers” permit.


Compliance with health code, state and fire remain unchanged except for food

cart operators will no longer be required to have a physical / doctors

appointment prior to receiving a permit.

Drawings submitted to the Planning Department for approval as to location /

setback of food cart has been eliminated. Setback requirements will be provided

to every food cart applicant to comply.

Food Trucks can operate until 3:00 am in areas that are food deserts when

restaurants close, food carts operating on sidewalks until 3:00 midnight

respectively. Food Carts/Trucks can open as early as 6:00 am.

Food Trucks will be able to park and operate from City meters per the

appropriate time period on the meter. Upon expiration of time in the meter, the

food trucks will have to move.

The following locations have been identified as proposed “food cart / truck zones”

Public Square – NE & SW Quadrants


Cleveland State University (E. 18th – E. 22nd Street south side only)

North Coast Harbor


Willard Park (Food Carts in Park only)

E 9th Street


Perk Plaza (food carts in park only upon completion)

E. 12 Street from Superior Avenue north to Lakeside Avenue (both sides of Street)


Examples of Food Carts

Other Notes Food Cart zones are currently being reviewed to determine locations in the Ward 15 District of the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood. Notes from City Council 4-18-11

1. Temporary Issuance for an Event – if an area will be closed off to allow for food carts / trucks for a special event in an established zone or allowed by zoning, the sponsoring organization as part of the Special Events Permit can include the list of approved food carts at no additional cost or permit as long as they have appropriate permits through the City of Cleveland.

2. Public parks can be added as “Zones” with the approval of Councilperson and Director of Public Works.


3. Director of Public Works, City Planning and the appropriate Councilperson can limit the number of Food Carts & Food Trucks in appropriate zones and ward districts.

4. Ordinance #210-11 will sunset November 28, 2011. 5. City council members will approve not only the creation of food cart / truck zones

within their districts but will approve any food cart licenses issued within their ward by signing off on the permit. Individual legislation for each food cart or truck will no longer be required.

Lessons Learned from Food Carts

1. Food Carts / Food Trucks have positive impacts on street vitality and neighborhood life in Downtown and commercial districts in neighborhoods.

2. Add vitality in “food deserts” within commercial areas, parking lots in the City; 3. “Eyes and Ears” on the street. Potential bombing in NYC was averted in 2010

due to a Food Cart operator; 4. Food carts represent beneficial employment opportunities they provide an

improved quality of life and promote social interaction between owners and customers;

5. Stepping stone to opening a storefront business or small café; 6. Promotes minority business micro-enterprises; 7. Promotes immigration to Cities that support Food Carts (Portland, New York and

Austin Texas)

Food Carts approved under Pilot Program Just Like Us Jibaro Baby Cakes Kevin’s Creative Cuisines Elise's Crepes Umami Moto Pedaling Hummus Dim and Den Sum