Newtown Borough Backs Away From Permitting Food Trucks On State Street

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Borough Council has reversed course on an ordinance change that would have opened the door to food trucks in the public right-of-way on State Street.

After listening to merchants voice opposition to the idea, Council on Tuesday decided not to pursue the changes that would have allowed business and property owners to apply for a permit to have a food truck parked in front of their establishment.

The discussion began last spring when the owners of the town’s new taproom - Second Sin Brewing at 17 North State Street - asked for permission to park a food truck in the borough hall parking lot next to their North State Street establishment on weekends.

For safety reasons, Council turned down the parking lot request but said it would look into changing its ordinance to accommodate food trucks on State Street through a strict permitting process that would limit the number of trucks and how long they could be parked.

The permits issued by the borough would have only allowed borough property and business owners along the street to host a food truck outside of their establishment.

In addition, trucks would have been limited to certain days of the week and times and would have been required to meet strict health and safety standards.

“This wasn’t to allow any food truck to come in and get a permit,” said Council President Emily Heinz, who said that point wasn’t clear in the draft ordinance and may have led to confusion. “People think anyone can come in and apply for a permit on State Street. That’s not the case.
It’s only if they have a relationship with a host business and the host business is requesting on their behalf.”

Before the council decided to reverse course, it heard from a number of borough business owners who turned out at this week's meeting to slam the idea of bringing food trucks onto the street.

Barbara of the State Street Kitchen said bringing food trucks to the street “is not fair to the people who are in the food business, paying for their (brick-and-mortar) businesses. The rents are very high and if a food truck parks in front of our establishment you don't even know the establishment is there.

“We’ve already lost money from the scaffolding (next door) because people did not think the restaurant is open. We put tables outside. Nobody wants to sit outside with scaffolding. We've already lost money and we certainly don’t need to lose any more money," she said. "We all know that parking is limited on the street and food trucks in front of any business, it’s going to hurt.”

Jackie McGonigal, the owner of the Newtown Ice House, also voiced opposition to the ordinance arguing that there are rules and regulations that the brick-and-mortar businesses must comply with to retain the town’s historic image.

"Now we’re going to allow food trucks to come in and park for how many hours a day who have done nothing but show up with a truck with food. Yes, they provide a service but do they care about Newtown historic preservation? And why are we going to allow food trucks to park on the street for more hours than people who have been positively contributing to this great community by owning a business? And are we making these food truck operators comply with the same health and safety requirements?”

South State Street realtor Mark Gatta added, “It doesn’t make sense to me what you’re trying to do here. I bought here because Newtown has something special to offer. I feel like it’s just getting thrown out the window. Do you not care about what we have in the community? This to me is ludicrous. We’re a special community here. Don’t lose sight of that. There’s no benefit to a food truck.”

While Council dropped its plans to permit food trucks in the right-of-way, it agreed to continue crafting an ordinance regulating food trucks on private property and at special events.

“This is still in the works. Nothing final,” said Heinz as the council wrapped up its discussion Wednesday night on its food truck ordinance.