Fishers passes food truck ordinance

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - After more than a month-long debate, food trucks are coming to Fishers.

The mobile concessions ordinance passed the council Monday evening with a vote of 5-2.

The ordinance is similar to those in Indianapolis, Noblesville and Carmel.

Not every council member was on board with the decision.

Member Scott Faultless voted against the ordinance. He said the Fishers Chamber of Commerce and numerous business owners have also taken a stance against the ordinance, noting that they pay property taxes.

“This ordinance picks winners and losers. The existing restaurants are subsidizing the existence of food trucks… this is government at its best in terms of picking winners and losers,” said Faultless.

When one council member tried to introduce an amendment Monday evening limiting where food trucks could go, conversation picked up.

“We are not reinventing the wheel here, we are not amending the US constitution. If we have problems with food trucks in a free enterprise system, by golly, we’ll go and change it,” said Pete Peterson, Vice President of the Council.

The ordinance as passed allows food trucks vendors to operate year round in Fishers. They must purchase an annual permit for $200 for each food truck, excluding some special events, where they'll need to sign a "Memoradum of Understanding" with the Parks Department to operate.

“We’re happy. We want to do business here, and in Hamilton County as a whole. It seems like the trend is allowing that to happen for food trucks,” said Adam Perry, owner of Taco Lassi food truck. “If they want the option, we provide that. We are not interested in setting up downtown and taking customers from businesses. My understanding is that cities that embrace food trucks have a more vibrant scene for food in general.”

Food truck operators will have to pay for a permit to operate.

The ordinance goes into effect after its published, likely within 30 days.

To see the full ordinance, click here.

Fishers Ordinance Mirrors Carmel, Indy, Noblesville

Food trucks have become popular over the past year in Indianapolis. The City of Carmel recently passed an ordinance allowing vendors to operate.

"Its convenience for customers. They can just step right outside we are fast so you don't have to wait a long time we are not expensive either.  You are saving a lot of money, it's fast you are eating good food so it is kind of a win-win for everybody involved," said Nitin Naidu who owns and operates Spice Box.

On Monday, Naidu parked  his truck up outside a north side office building near Meridian and 96th. Customer Tim Elkin says food trucks usually turn up everyday. He's a big fan.

"In weather like this it isn't  convenient to go out and get in the car. You just walk outside and there it is" said Elkin.

"It's a very popular item that people want in a community.  A lot of residents have expressed a desire to have them in the community. But at the same time, we have had some concerns from the businesses that already exist here and pay taxes.  So it is a tricky public policy question to answer," said Fishers Town Manager Scott Fadness Monday afternoon.