Port Chester prides itself on its big helping of restaurants. But food trucks seem to be causing discomfort.
There’s a rule on the books saying the trucks must move 50 feet every 15 minutes. That’s widely ignored and difficult to enforce. Nine streets are designated off limits, and three years ago there was talk of adding more streets to the list. Not that there are many trucks looking for a spot: Seven food and ice-cream trucks are currently licensed to operate in the village.
Officials are revisiting the issue now that three trucks are parking regularly along Abendroth Avenue. That’s one of the few downtown thoroughfares where they are allowed. Trustee Bart Didden protested what he sees as unfair competition with restaurants that pay property tax.
“They don’t contribute anything to the village coffers, except for maybe the 25 cents that they’re throwing in the meter,” he said during Monday night’s board meeting. That echoed the sentiment of a recent Westmore News column. But actually – as the vendors on Abendroth were quick to point out to me Friday – they pay $450 a year each in license fees. They also noted that they generate sales tax and that they’re an inexpensive option for lunch.
The off-limits areas are: Westchester Avenue, North and South Main Street, Grace Church Street up to Fox Island Road, Midland Avenue, Pearl, and North and South Regent Street. They may not be within 200 feet of a church or school.
What do you think the rules and the fees should be?
New York City, by the way, has cheaper fees but long waiting lists (and ever-expanding menus). And in some places, food trucks are being sought after to help turn a place around.
