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REGULAR MEETING September 14, 2015 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Jill, DSTB, offices on 217 S. Michigan, South Bend – Our office is in support of the food trucks <br />in South Bend. We have seen an increase in vibrancy in downtown. This will have a positive <br />impact on downtown. I work very closely to the downtown association and talked to many <br />members of that group, this amendment will give them the opportunity to expand their business <br />and operate in areas that they are not and test out new products in the market. We don’t view <br />this as them competing against brick and mortars but enhancing what we have here already. <br />We’ve seen how brick and mortars can coexist and be successful. We are prepared to enforce <br />parking and support it and we are prepared to do it. This will increase our diversity downtown <br />and add to our quality of life. <br /> <br />Dean Heintzelman, Bar Manager of Fiddler’s Hearth – I can speak in support of them. I have <br />worked in restaurants for many years. Fiddler’s Hearth would like to start a food truck for <br />festivals and events we can’t cater. I too would like to open my own restaurant one day. <br /> <br />Rebuttal: Ms. Adams stated that regarding the commissary kitchen that is a state requirement. <br />We do not have any jurisdiction over that. That is something we have to do as the state requires <br />and mandates as such. You can’t have a food truck in the state of Indiana unless you have a <br />commissary kitchen. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. – I am just interested in the zoning part. Atlanta, Ga has the <br />same type of regulations, same type of support for food truck industries. I’m nervous about the <br />level of parking as we are already limited. I see a conflict brewing for the potential behavior of <br />trucks in front of businesses. <br /> <br />Mr. Fielding responded that we did not look into zoning. Best practices are to allow the market <br />to handle itself. No-one showed up with issues with this, and there will be ongoing feedback. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis stated we have had these discussions for quite some time. I can’t <br />talk about the other demographics of other cities. But with this city we have an empty downtown <br />and that I want to make sure that we are maintaining what we have. <br /> <br />Mr. Fielding stated we looked into it and it was not a best practice of other cities. <br /> <br />Councilmember Valerie Schey – In terms of parking, they have to be parallel to the curb, is there <br />a footage requirement? <br /> <br />Mr. Fielding responded, correct, it is self-limiting as you can only vend from the side of the truck <br />parallel to a sidewalk and within five (5) feet of any structure and twenty-five (25) feet within <br />any restaurant front door. Councilmember Valerie Schey and Chris Fielding confirmed the <br />parking arrangements. Mr. Fielding stated there are parking end caps that food trucks can park <br />at. <br /> <br />Councilmember Schey responded that answers my question as we don’t want the scenario where <br />food trucks are parking in front of restaurants. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic – I would like to see if the sponsors would consider looking at <br />this again in six (6) months if there are any problems. The restaurant owners downtown mostly <br />are all in favor of it. So I think if we get in the way of a lot of rules and regulations, you’ll <br />destroy what we need in this city. We need free range capital. I am in favor. <br /> <br />Council President Tim Scott – Just a final comment the parking by the Fiddler’s and Linden Grill <br />those are one (1) hour parking so they’re exempt and from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. is a four (4) hour <br />parking frame that they are limited to. The gentlemen stated best let the business thrive and be <br />what it is. Being on DTSB for four (4) years, we’ve seen eighty percent (80%) full of retail <br />downtown and three (3) years that has doubled the amount of restaurants downtown. This gives <br />another diversity to it. This allows for ethnic food and gives people the chance to taste <br />something different. A very talented chef can change up menus and push them out to brick and <br />mortars too. <br /> <br />Councilmember Oliver Davis – To the gentlemen who wants to move west he can move to the <br />Westside of South Bend. There are food deserts that would welcome him. You can come to my <br />6 <br /> <br /> <br />