The Town of Friday Harbor Planning Commission is drafting an ordinance that would allow food trucks. Whether that means as a food court or along designated streets is being debated. Parking, hours of operation and other regulations are also under discussion. March 23, Town Hall was packed with citizens ready to voice their opinions regarding the subject.
“In the last two years I have seen maybe one person attend a meeting once, so I am very excited for the civic engagement,” Ryan Ericson, Town Planner told attendees, reminding everyone that it was not a public hearing. A hearing will be held at a future date. Ericson said his goal is for the commission to be done with the ordinance toward the end of April after which it will be sent to the Town Council for their input in May. To help craft the document, Ericson has drawn from state law as well as regulations from locations with long-established food trucks. He provided the commissioners with an ordinance, for example, from Langley Washington.
The first person to speak was John Madden, from the Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor. The nonprofit has a well-known mobile unit called the K-Boose that frequently serves food at events, including the Kiwanis-sponsored Pig War Picnic on July 4th. Sales from the food go toward scholarships and other local needs.
“We want to broaden our ability to use [the K-Boose] throughout the county,” Madden said, “Provide warm food in emergency situations, provide a food service for whatever the town and county need.”
A large majority of attendees spoke in favor of allowing food trucks in some capacity.
“I love Food trucks. It gives people an opportunity to start a business,” Denise Urell, former president of Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, said. “This community is in desperate need of different food venues.”
Many addressed the lack of restaurants in general and the lack of diversity of food options.
“Food trucks are not a competition [to brick and mortar restaurants] because, for some, the question is whether to eat at home or go to a food truck,” Maria Michaelson, long-time islander, artist, and co-founder of Alchemy Arts Center, said. “There is an extreme lack of options and diversity. After grocery stores shut down, there is nowhere to go.”
She added that tourists become hungry and grumpy which gets back to other potential visitors. Those negative reviews of the island make people not want to come. “When people eat, they are generally happier,” Michaelson told the Commissioners with a laugh.
Mayor Ray Jackson spoke as a citizen, not as his role as mayor. Jackson supports the concept, he said, adding that he does have concerns for restaurants. In general, Jackson said he felt if the community works together, the two types of venues do not need to compete.
“I keep hearing the word city being thrown around tonight. We are not a city, we are a town, and what we do affects each other,” Jackson said. “We all need to come together. We are not in competition. We do not need redundancy, we need diversity.”
He encouraged potential food truck and restaurant owners to be creative with their products and come up with unique niches rather than opening, for example, the tenth hotdog stand.
Others commented on specific proposed regulations, like hours of operation, currently, the hours would be the same as restaurants, but some felt opening early for those catching the red-eye ferry, or later after restaurants were closed, especially during special events, may make more sense.
“I would want to make sure [the ordinance] doesn’t hinder the possibilities,” Suzie Wampler said.
Tim Torkington was one of the few who was critical of the idea. He questioned whether food trucks were the best solution.
“I can understand why people want a variety, but I think there is a better way,” he said, mentioning the Grange and Brickwork with their kitchens might be able to help.
“I am concerned that we are going to drown out brick and mortar, who are already swimming against the current,” Torkington said.
Roberto Moya, who owns Cin Cin with his wife Kathryn, told the commission that they had tried to lease the spot above Cask and Schooner, where Topsl once was, but the expenses were too high. Owners of some of the town buildings, he continued, seem to want to keep them empty because it looked better on their taxes.
Moya also advocated for diversity in food choices and supporting business owners who may not have enough capital to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
“Competition is good for us,” he said.
As comments came to an end, Ericson again thanked everyone for their input.
“Comments saying they are in support are great, so we know whether or not there is, but those that were directed on specific aspects of the draft were really helpful,” Ericson said, adding that currently, Lopez Villiage is currently the only location in San Juan County that allows food trucks.
As commissioners began their work session, Commissioner Francine Shaw stated she would have to recuse herself from the actual vote due to her involvement with Kiwanas.
Commissioner Don Torkington voiced concern for restaurant owners.
“I hardly think they are making a killing, and I think it is a slap in the face to restaurant owners,” he said, adding that trucks would come from off-island, take business and then leave on the ferry again at the end of the day. “I would be surprised if, in a few years, any of them were owned by residents.”
Other commissioners pointed out that the cost and schedule of the ferries would likely prevent an overabundance of off-island trucks.
“When I owned a restaurant, I was never worried about competition,” Commissioner Patrick Minney said, ”I watched them open, then close and lose everything. This ordinance shows we are reaching out and trying to support the little guy.” Minney said. “I recognize many of the faces who were here tonight. They represent the younger generation who don’t have the funding for a brick-and-mortar restaurant but still have the passion and drive to start a business and the creativity to bring diverse options. “
The next meeting is scheduled for April 13.
