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Coffee stands get closer look Photo by Bob Pennell Coffee stands such as this Dutch Bros. drive-through on East Main Street are defined as "non-motorized vehicles," Planning Director Jim Eisenhard says. In other words, they are considered mobile. Medford officials ponder regulation By CHRIS BRISTOL If it seems to you like there's a coffee stand on every corner in Medford, some city officials feel the same way. And they want to know where they fit in city codes. During a lunch-hour study session Thursday at City Hall, Planning Director Jim Eisenhard briefed council members and staff on the history of so-called mobile food units and how coffee stands fit the definition. Coffee stands such as the drive-throughs operated by Dutch Bros. are defined as "non-motorized vehicles," Eisenhard said. In other words, they are considered mobile. "These espresso things have wheels on them," he said. "If you stripped away the skirting, you would see the wheels." The definition is important because mobile food units -- ranging from hot dog carts to carnival-style caravans -- are held to fewer site-development standards than permanent buildings. Before 1993, the city didn't have even the lesser standards. Until then, food carts and trailers were simply considered a zoning issue. But nobody envisioned the proliferation of coffee stands, which have popped up all over town in recent years. In fact, nobody even seems to know exactly how many there are. City Councilman John Michaels said he raised the subject over perceptions that coffee stands -- Dutch Bros. was mentioned by name -- are taking advantage of other businesses. Michaels questioned whether coffee stands are exploiting a loophole in city code and the possibility that other businesses might follow suit. "It's going to move beyond coffee ... so it's something we need to get a handle on," he said. Mayor Linsday Berryman, who used to co-own a cookie store, complained that coffee stand customers sometimes came into her shop simply to use the bathroom. `I think there's a fairness issue here," she said. Eisenhard said the success of coffee stands may be part of the problem, because they seem to attract customers who otherwise would not stop for something else. The council took no formal action. Eisenhard said he expects City Manager Michael Dyal will ask his staff to research the ways other Oregon cities treat the issue. "Somebody smelled a rat," he said. "These things are everywhere." Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA