How We See It: Regulation Of Vendors Still An Issue

How long does it take for a business on wheels to become a permanent or semipermanent fixture?

That continues to be the question in Fayetteville. The city has struggled for a few years to figure out rules that make room for portable trailers and food trucks from which vendors sell anything from meals to snow cones to fashions.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

The city of Fayetteville should maintain expectations for improvements at locations where mobile vendors are granted permission to operate for longer than 90 days.

How long does it take for a business on wheels to become a permanent or semipermanent fixture?

It’s a balancing act for city leaders who want to embrace the low-cost, Fayetteville funky way of starting up a business but also maintain community standards of appearance and function for longer-term business operations.

Brick-and-mortar stores have long faced city requirements for traffic management, tree preservation or planting, parking and other issues.

The temporary nature of businesses on wheels understandably requires little in the way of permanent improvements to a location. A typical mobile vendor permit lasts only 90 days, so why expect them to plant trees or install bike racks or pour sidewalks? Those vendors must return to city planners for permission to stick around for more than 90 days.

The poster child for temporary, trailer-based businesses is a piece of land in the 600 block of North College Avenue that’s become known as the Yacht Club. It’s basically an empty lot housing several Airstream trailers in a semi-circle. A variety of businesses have operated in the trailers, and some have gone on to expand into standard retail locations in the city.

Cynthia Morris, who owns the property, recently said city requirements for improvements might force her to shut down the venture. When vendors seek an extension of time in one location, city planners can require additional improvement to the location before granting approval. Last week, the planning staff recommended Morris plant four trees along College Avenue to foster “an aesthetically pleasing streetscape.”

Basically, the message is to spruce up the place if you’re going to stick around.

Morris said the added burdens could force her to shut down the mobile vendors court. She said she has already installed a water meter, temporary landscaping and a portable toilet as the Planning Commission granted variances to every Yacht Club vendor who sought one. She has also dedicated space for a sidewalk.

Has she done enough already?

The Yacht Club is a unique experience that’s kind of cool. But either they’re temporary - and should move out after 90 days - or they’re not. If they’re not, it seems entirely reasonable for the city to have a growing expectation for additional improvements to the property. Ultimately, the community doesn’t want semi-permanent “temporary” trailers setting up shop throughout town. Something quirky and unique can become an eyesore if left alone.

The city isn’t demanding these trailers remain in place. That’s the owner’s business model. It’s reasonable to set higher expectations when a trailer’s presence is measured in years, not days.

This could all be settled if the city simply issued 90-day permits then forced these “mobile” vendors to relocate. But Fayetteville is trying to be accommodating to this odd-duck business model. The city should be fair and even-handed in applying expectations for improvements, but having those expectations isn’t going too far.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 02/03/2014

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