Comments on: Board to Consider Extending Parking Limit for Food Trucks

By: Dm

Dm — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:30:00 +0000

… It’s about choosing what issues to consider, Josh. Existing policy or law can be sufficient. Tinkering with existing law/policy just because they can – and not on merit – is the problem.

By: South Awwlington

South Awwlington — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:56:00 +0000

I don’t think the owners of restaurants in Crystal City and Rosslyn would agree with you. Most have been in place 5-10 years and some maybe more. While not all of them have paid their taxes (see various ARLNOW articles) many have. Many have also been the part of the neighborhood fabric for years. This includes volunteer efforts at events like the Marine Corp Marathon, Va; PTA events at Oakridge Elementary School, 1K Wine Walk, etc.

Additionally, companies consider their location and competition when evaluating business sites. So….all the sudden that changes when you show up to open your restaurant and there are five food trucks lining the street in front of your business?

I don’t disagree that competition is good. I do think that the same financial constraints should be in place to ensure a level playing field – ie rent, utils, labor, etc – you know…the cost of doing business.

By: Josh S

Josh S — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:15:00 +0000

Haven’t you ever seen a McDonald’s across the street from a Burger King? Gas stations are frequently clustered.

The government is not in the business of preserving existing businesses over new ones. Or businesses with a particular business plan over other business plans.

Supposedly, we have a free enterprise system. Except for extreme cases like monopoly, there is little in the way of “fair” that is to be preserved by government intervention. Especially when the overall public good may be served by allowing competition to flourish – as it likely is in this case.

Finally, the “fairness” argument, although I strongly believe it is irrelevant anyway, has no merit. Please name a “brick and mortar” restaurant that went out of business as a result of food trucks.

By: Josh S

Josh S — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:08:00 +0000

?
And?
It’s a local legislative body making public policy decisions.
The Supreme Court is a federal judicial body.

Apples and oranges.

By: fongsway

fongsway — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:48:00 +0000

Really Arlington.. stop hassling the food trucks! It’s what put Austin’s food scene on the map.. and while we have some good restaurants.. we could use some variety too!
Keep Arlington weird.. ? Now there’s a thought!

By: dan

dan — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:19:00 +0000

No kidding…I saw one at McPherson Square about a month ago.

By: dm

dm — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:06:00 +0000

The stickers on the meter say “All may park. All must pay” … Food trucks park.

By: dm

dm — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:05:00 +0000

The Supreme Court doesn’t hear every case.

By: South Awwlington

South Awwlington — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:42:00 +0000

The population piece makes sense…but it is a little unfair to the brick and mortars when 10 new options set up camp across the street from your biz day in and out. Perhaps a designated location not in direct competition with brick and mortars?

By: speonjosh

speonjosh — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:39:00 +0000

Yeah, but those time limits weren’t designed with food trucks in mind.