Langley is all about economic development these days, and it’s good to see.
Over the past year, we’ve witnessed real leadership in this area, from several large forums hosted by city council members to Mayor Fred McCarthy’s smaller, albeit monthly luncheons. Disregard naysayers who grumble that nothing will come of the gatherings, as talking and planning about a better future is never a waste of time. It gets the old cerebral cogs turning and, often with little steps, positive change is made.
The latest example of this is the passage of rules for food trucks. There was no actual law previously that prohibited them from operating in town, so this was more of a step to create ordinances for an unregulated industry, but it’s still a good move. The process of discussion and the passage of legislation were essentially an invitation, a welcome mat that says, “We want to you come to Langley, sell food and make money.”
While there’s hardly a legion of food trucks on the island that was waiting for the city to give the green light, nursing an untapped industry is part of what the adopted rules are all about — creating the framework necessary for a business, new or existing, to thrive.
That said, when the city council reevaluates the ordinance later this year it should reconsider built-in conditions that limit the times of year when food trucks can operate. Under the rules passed Monday, they are allowed only from May to September, the Thursday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day.
Setting up dedicated areas for parking is one thing, but it seems counterproductive to invite a new industry to town only to ask them to survive on a part-time basis. It certainly doesn’t encourage one to make investments in a new business when the rules make it clear the city places a higher value on non-mobile eateries by giving them a greater chance for success.
Asking a traditional restaurant to close for the winter would be inconceivable. Why should food trucks be treated any different? If it’s a matter of taxes, surely there are avenues for equal contribution. For that matter, City Councilman Thomas Gill was absolutely right when he questioned additional limits proposed during Monday’s meeting, specifically those that would ban food trucks during events such as Choochokam.
They were not adopted, and hopefully the allowable “season” will be dropped as well later this year when the ordinance is reviewed, for enticing food trucks to Langley really is a great idea. They literally add to the flavor of a town, and have the power to burn Langley into the memories of visitors. Every year Oak Harbor holds a block party and pig roast, and there are always visitors there who say they’ll never forget the barbecued pork, which is cooked up by vendors and, you guessed it, a few dedicated mobile eateries.
Food trucks will likely never be big business in Langley, or even a major economic contributor to city coffers, but they are rolling engines of economic development and are another small step toward a more prosperous and vibrant future.
