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Food fight? Not if Medford can help it Thursday Aug 17, 2017 at 4:13 PM Aug 17, 2017 at 5:25 PM Damian Mann Mail Tribune @reporterdm The Medford City Council took a step closer Thursday to allowing food trucks to park on city streets, but wanted to avoid a food fight with brick-and-mortar stores. Councilor Dick Gordon said fees for food trucks were much lower than for restaurants, so he was hoping to create a more even playing field. "There are real discrepancies between food trucks and brick-and-mortar stores," he said. The City Council voted 7-1 to draft a code amendment that would allow food trucks on city streets, while seeking review by the Planning Commission as well as holding a public hearing before taking a final vote. Councilor Clay Bearnson said he had concerns about parking food trucks in front of restaurants, saying he thought the city should look at a pilot project around Alba Park. The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, which represents local restaurants, opposed food trucks on city streets in an Aug. 4 letter written to the council. The association claimed food trucks get less rigorous health inspections, don’t pay property taxes and place a strain on public restrooms and other facilities. Restaurants and bars that operate during the proposed food-truck hours of 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. would be hurt financially if the city allows food trucks to operate on streets during that time, the association stated in its letter. Food trucks are currently allowed on private property, city sidewalks and in city parks. Bearnson and other councilors thought the best way to proceed was through a code amendment rather than going through a more time-consuming land-use process, which could be appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals. "That could be an abysmal pit of litigation," Bearnson said. He did support increased fees for food trucks but pointed out they generate fewer vehicle trips than a regular restaurant. Councilor Kay Brooks said the city should look at making sure food trucks provide enough trash bins for customers. Councilor Tim Jackle, who provided the only "no" vote, said he thought food trucks on streets should go through a land-use process rather than a code change. He said the council shouldn't try to bypass the Planning Commission, particularly with members such as Dave McFadden who have years of experience in land-use issues. "If we're not seeking his opinion, we're making a big mistake," he said. Initially the council thought about bypassing the Planning Commission but decided to seek its help in crafting an ordinance on food trucks. The city already allows two food trucks to operate on city property, including a hot dog stand on the sidewalk across from Rogue Community College on Central Avenue, and a food truck called “Man Food” that recently started operating in Alba Park near the dog fountain.  The issue of food trucks on the street came to the attention of city officials when the Fired Up Food Truck began serving midnight meals while parked on the street in front of the Bohemian Club in November 2016.  The city initially gave the food truck permission but later discovered it was prohibited under Medford municipal code. The truck had been operating for about three months, from about 11 p.m. until sometime after 2 a.m., before the permission was revoked at the beginning of 2017. — Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm.