Public sounds off on proposed Greensburg food truck rules

Greensburg officials agree the city should be more welcoming to food trucks, the question is how much — and the debate comes down to a matter of feet.

Currently, food trucks must operate at least 500 feet away from a brick-and-mortar restaurant, which means they’re not allowed in most of downtown.

A first draft of a revised ordinance would have reduced the limit to 350 feet, with exemptions during special events. The limit has been reduced to 200 feet in the draft currently being considered, and some council members think it should be lowered further.

Mayor Robb Bell would prefer a stricter distance limit, but not because he opposes food trucks.

“Everybody had this misconception that city council does not want food trucks,” Bell said this week. “We do want food trucks, but we want them to coexist with the businesses. We want everyone to be happy.”

Several members of the public spoke at a meeting Monday to share their opinion on the ordinance.

“Greensburg isn’t a giant city, and when you start putting hundreds of feet of space between brick-and-mortars and food trucks, you’re essentially banning food trucks from the city,” said Jason Kelly, a Greensburg lawyer who owns the Steel City Chimneys food truck.

Resident George Lincoln said he doesn’t own a food truck or a restaurant, but he wants to see more food trucks in town.

“More choices bring more people, and cities are really embracing food trucks,” he said.

Michael Villi, who owns The Venue restaurant on South Pennsylvania Avenue, said he welcomes food trucks, but with limits. Parking on his block is limited enough as it is without trucks clogging one side of the street, he said.

“I’m fine with food trucks, the only problem I have is parking issues,” he said.

Councilman Randy Finfrock said he’d prefer a distance limit under 200 feet but suggested passing the ordinance with a 200-foot limit and revisiting it.

“We can have a trial period at 200 feet. Hopefully, the businesses will see that it’s not a big deal, and in six months we can take it down to 100 feet, or zero,” he said. “My preference would be zero.”

Councilwoman Cheryl Lennert suggested putting two versions of the ordinance up for a vote — one with a 200-foot limit, the other with a 100-foot limit.

Though the distance limit is still up for discussion, city leaders agree on other details of the revised ordinance, which would make life easier for food truck owners.

The current ordinance allows trucks to operate on city streets only late at night, between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. The proposed revision would allow trucks to operate for up to eight hours almost any time of day.

Council planned to vote this month on the revised ordinance but delayed action to allow further discussion. The plan now is to introduce a bill at Monday’s council meeting and hold a vote in July.

In-person meetings have resumed at city hall. Attendees must wear a face mask and seating is limited to promote social distancing. The meeting will be streamed live on the City of Greensburg Facebook page.