According to the Peoria Journal-Star, the Peoria City Council voted down, last night by a 6-5 margin, a proposed ordinance that would have allowed up to three food trucks to operate in that city’s Warehouse District.
“I firmly do not think this will create new people spending money to eat out in Peoria,” [Peoria Mayor Jim] Ardis said, voicing his concern about how the ordinance would have affected “brick and mortar” restaurants that have to pay property taxes and year-round utility costs. “The existing brick and mortar business people have to pay for air conditioning when its 100 degrees out and pay for heat when it’s 10 below. The mobile vendor keeps his truck in the garage.”
Other opponents expressed skepticism about what type of urban vibrancy three mobile food trucks could bring to areas of Downtown Peoria or within the Warehouse District.
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Proponents expressed frustration with the opposing viewpoints, saying the food trucks represents a somewhat progressive movement, along with the push carts, to make Downtown more vibrant.
Related:
- Champaign pulls rug from under food trucks (May 18)
- Champaign announces summer of food trucks (May 31)
H/T to @palmerlaw for the heads up.