‘Boosts the local economy.’ State College-area township now allows food trucks in public parks
Those who have wanted the opportunity to purchase food and beverages from food trucks while visiting public parks near State College are in luck. Food trucks can now operate within parks and right-of-ways in Ferguson Township.
The Ferguson Township supervisors in March unanimously adopted an ordinance amending several sections of its Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances, including Chapter 27, which regulates food trucks.
“Over the past decade, food trucks have become a staple in communities particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These small businesses have been hit exceptionally hard and their contribution to the local economy isn’t inconsequential,” Jenna Wargo, planning and zoning director, wrote in a release. “Amending the Food Truck Ordinance to allow food trucks to operate easily in Ferguson Township boosts the local economy and helps preserve these small businesses.”
According to previous meeting agendas, the township completed a comprehensive update to its Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances in late 2019. Since then, staff have been “tracking errors and omissions while interpreting the ordinances.” As part of that, Wargo presented a number of additional amendments to address different issues to the board for approval in March.
Previously, the ordinance allowed food trucks to operate in any zoning district within the township, but not in its parks. The previous ordinance stated “Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority is solely responsible for the permitting and regulation of food trucks in public parks.”
In a press release, the township said it will work in collaboration with CRPR. Vendors will now need to complete the food truck application on the township’s website and obtain a zoning permit from the township’s planning and zoning department.
The ordinance states that a mobile food facility can’t be located on a premise for more than 13 weeks a year and lists time limits for different zoning districts. Specifically, food trucks in neighborhood parks and places of assembly within residential zoning districts can operate between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Overnight parking of food trucks within parks is prohibited, unless special approval is given.
Food trucks cannot operate in some parks, such as The Meadows, Park Hill and Songbird Sanctuary.
To operate a food truck in a township right-of-way, a permit will need to be issued from the township’s zoning administrator. The ordinance states that township staff can establish conditions restricting specific streets, location, and time that products can be sold. Generally, the ordinance prohibits food trucks on Blue Course Drive, Whitehall Road, West College Avenue, North Atherton Street and West Aaron Drive.
Approval of operating in a township right-of-way is site specific, the ordinance states. So if a new location for the food truck is proposed, a new permit will be needed.
Ice cream trucks continue to be exempt from these regulations, the release stated.
