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There being four (4) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said motion was declared duly approved and it was so ordered.

AN ORDINANCE
BY VICE MAYOR BYINGTON NO 4865
TO REPEAL EXISTING SECTION 1006.7, VARIANCE STANDARDS, OF THE OAKWOOD ZONING ORDINANCE AND ADOPT NEW SECTION 1006.7, VARIANCE STANDARDS, OF THE OAKWOOD ZONING ORDINANCE.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Vice Mayor Byington explained that this is an ordinance to update the decision standards used by the Oakwood Planning Commission and Oakwood Board of Zoning Appeals to evaluate zoning variances. It has been recommended by the City Law Director to align Oakwood’s variance standards with Ohio Supreme Court case law.

As required by law, amendments to the text of the zoning ordinance require two public hearings. The first was held before the Planning Commission on June 6, 2018, and resulted in a unanimous recommendation of approval by the Planning Commission. The second public hearing took place at the July 11, 2018, Council meeting.

Thereupon, it was moved by Vice Mayor Byington and seconded by Mr. Stephens that the ordinance be passed.

Upon call of the roll on the question of the motion, the following vote was recorded:

MR. WILLIAM D. DUNCAN YEA
MR. STEVEN BYINGTON YEA
MR. ROBERT P. STEPHENS YEA
MRS. ANNE HILTON YEA
MR. CHRISTOPHER EPLEY YEA

There being five (5) yea votes and no (0) nay votes thereon, said ordinance was declared duly passed and it was so ordered.

AN ORDINANCE
BY VICE MAYOR BYINGTON NO 4863
TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS FOR THE OPERATION OF MOBILE FOOD VEHICLES.

A copy of the ordinance, having been placed on the desks of each member of Council prior to introduction, was read by title.

Vice Mayor Byington explained that two ordinances were introduced at the June 6 meeting to update the City’s Business Regulation Code with respect to food trucks. The first was an ordinance that will allow “mobile food vehicles,” or food trucks, to operate on public rights-of-way in the City.

After that ordinance was introduced, City Council heard from a number of residents concerned about food trucks on residential streets, particularly near the schools and public parks. The consistent theme heard is that residents do not necessarily dislike food trucks, but are concerned that the ordinance would create an “open” system that allows licensed vendors to decide when, where, and how often they will open for business in the City.

Council was receptive to these concerns, so at the July 11 meeting Council withdrew the original ordinance and introduced a new version. Tonight Council is conducting a second reading on the new ordinance. It would still allow food truck operation in the City, but would utilize an event-based permit system instead of the “open” system in the prior ordinance.

This ordinance includes a number of provisions to protect the residential character of the Oakwood community. Highlights include the following:

  • Permits are always required for food truck operation, whether on public or private property.
  • Permits will only be issued in connection with a specific party, rally, or other event sponsored or hosted by an Oakwood property owner.