A well-intentioned new bill that could nudge food trucks out of huge swaths of territory now faces backlash, explains Jonathan Kauffman.
California Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) introduced a bill last Tuesday that would prevent food trucks from setting up shop within 1,500 feet of any school. AB 1678, intended as part of an effort to create a healthier eating environment for school children, resembles an existing ordinance in San Francisco.
But there are some important differences that have big-city officials and entrepreneurs up in arms. Unlike the Bay Area ordinance, Monning's bill bans food trucks near elementary schools as well as middle and high schools. "That doesn't make any sense," said San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener. "I don't know any elementary schools that allow their students to leave campus for lunch -- and there are many more elementary schools in town." That means that the added provision "would knock out the bulk of the city from having access to food trucks."
Critics have also pointed out that the ban would not apply to fast food outlets.
In response, a food truck advocacy group has brought together restaurateurs and enthusiasts to petition Assemblymember Monning to have a second look at the bill.
FULL STORY: New Food Truck Bill Could Kill S.F.'s Street Food Scene
San Francisco Schools Teach Bike-Riding in P.E.
Bike safety could become part of the second-grade curriculum districtwide.
San Francisco Mayor Backtracks on Homelessness Goal
Mayor Dan Lurie ran on a promise to build 1,500 additional shelter beds in the city, complete with supportive services. Now, his office says they are “shifting strategy” to focus on prevention and mental health treatment.
Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie