360 Fireworks Party

360 Fireworks Party
Showing posts with label Downtown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Downtown. Show all posts

Friday, August 31, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY 31 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
| 
|
by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
|
FIRE DAMAGES TWO HOMES IN BOTANY HILLS
The Covington Fire Department was busy overnight battling flames on Lexington Avenue in West Covington where two houses burned.
|
Fire called suspicious: WKRC 
|
SEE ALSO: Cincinnati Enquirer & WCPO 
|
FORECLOSURE IMMINENT ON PEASELBURG PROPERTY
Sign at the foot of the hill that
leads to Emery Drive Apts.
Neighborhood Investment Partners (NIP), established as a private property investment company whose president is also the executive director of the public Housing Authority of Covington (HAC) and whose board of directors includes three members of the Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners, is not related to the Housing Authority of Covington, said director Tony Milburn. A special meeting of NIP's board of directors was called Thursday evening to deal with the imminent foreclosure of the property known as Emery Drive Apartments in Covington's Peaselburg neighborhood. The meeting was held at the Housing Authority of Covington offices.
|
NIP purchased the property five years ago and is now in need of refinancing the loan through the Cincinnati Development Fund to whom the mortgage is due September 1. Aaron Wolfe-Bertling, executive director of HAC and president of NIP, explained that $1.7 million is owed on the property and proposed that a letter be written to the Cincinnati Development Fund extend the due date of a $400,000 payment so that the mortgage can be saved. Wolfe-Bertling blamed the downturn in the economy for the decline in the property's value and the rental rates that have remained flat.
|
He also explained that the National Development Center could help in assisting with other possible financing options. The goal is to pay the $400,000 due reducing the note to $1.3 million and then paying the balance on a cash-flow basis.
|
The mortgage is not the only issue facing the NIP-owned property. More than a dozen Peaselburg residents attended the meeting to voice opposition to one proposal on the table: putting additional HAC subsidized units in the development. They complained of declining property values, increased crime rates, and the eyesore of a shut-down swimming pool on the property. With City Heights just up the hill, Peaselburg has more subsidized housing than any other Covington neighborhood, they said. 
|
Emery Drive is made up of five buildings with twenty-three units. NIP is interested in having HAC fill 11 of those units with subsidized housing for seniors and the handicapped. NIP director John Spence, who is also on the board of commissioners at HAC, said that this option would free up more flexibility in the other four buildings for more market-rate rental opportunities. In order for that to happen, HAC would have to issue a request for proposals from interested property owners that would like to use the subsidized vouchers and NIP would have to apply. 
|
Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper and City Manager Larry Klein were on hand and Scheper suggested that HAC/NIP examine what a group called Cornerstone has done in turning around properties in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. "I don't want to have a black eye that we've defaulted on these loans even though it's not our responsibility," Scheper said. 
|
None of this will matter if the Cincinnati Development Fund rejects NIP's plan and forecloses on the property. The board of directors voted to send a letter to CDF with a request for a delay of 75 days as they work at establishing a plan of action to save Emery Drive.
|
WAR OF WORDS ERUPT AT COVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
"We're not going to stay silent any longer, this time we're going to speak back." A war of words erupted at Thursday night's Covington School Board meeting over the vacancy that followed a resignation, and why an election won't be on the ballot.
Full story: The River City News 
|
OTHER NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: 
  • The School Board officially adopted the compensating tax rate on Covington properties, instead of taking the full 4% increase. This is the first time in several years that only the compensating rate will be added to property taxes by the Covington School Board.
  • Many of the staff members present at Thursday's meeting were there to be recognized for their work on a well-attended and well-received Ethics & Equity Conference at Holmes High School.
  • It was noted that enrollment is up at every school save for Latonia Elementary which is down slightly this year. 71 more students at John G Carlisle School resulted in the board approving the creation of a new Kindergarten teacher position and an instructor assistant position.
  • Covington Schools will continue to lease space from Gateway College to house its alternative school at a rate of $15 per square foot, which was the same price offered to Gateway when Covington Schools owned the building.
  • The district, along with its partners in Strive (Cincinnati Public and Newport Independent), will apply for a $40 million federal Race to the Top grant that would include the benefit of Kindles being placed in the hands of every student, allowing all text books to be accessed digitally.
  • According to the Facebook page of the Holmes High School Band, Superintendent Lynda Jackson was named among the administrators of the year by the Kentucky Music Educators Association.
|
QUICKIES
|
Deputy shoots man, then gives him CPR WBKO 
|
KY State Police to increase patrols this holiday weekend WKYT 
|
Gov. Beshear implements measures to increase integrity, safety of horse racing press release 
|
After national attention, juvenile sex case is made public WDRB 
|
It's not Auburn VS Alabama, but UK-UofL football rivalry has its own spice Herald-Leader 
|
UK women's basketball coach buys Rick Pitino's old house Herald-Leader 
|
Former UK basketball player becomes firefighter Herald-Leader 
|
EDITORIAL: PRESUMPTION OF GUILT IN PILL ABUSE
From the State-Journal in Frankfort:
Politicians in Frankfort who still believe that government edicts can somehow or other deliver the commonwealth from the scourge of prescription drug abuse are once again approaching the issue with a butcher knife instead of a scalpel.
Full story: State-Journal 

|
DOWNTOWN COVINGTON NIGHTSPOT CLOSES FOR GOOD
The Avenue Lounge and Patio is no more, celebrating its final night in operation Thursday. No reason was offered publicly, but Facebook lit up late last night as fans of the lounge expressed their sadness over its closing. 
|
COVINGTON BUSINESS COUNCIL MAKES NEW HIRE
Congratulations to the CBC's Elizabeth Fricke who has been hired as the organization's administrative manager. She will also serve in that role for the Urban Partnership. Fricke is a graduate student at Northern Kentucky University in the Public Administration program and also serves as a Kenton Vale city council member. She is a graduate of Thomas More College. 
Elizabeth Fricke
|
THIS WEEKEND IN COVINGTON!
NOTE: The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra concert scheduled for 7:30PM in Devou Park has been moved to the NKY Convention Center. Details on possible free parking are being finalized at City Hall.
A lot of fun is planned in and around the City this weekend. Covington Ombudsman Suzanne Gettys has put together a list with additional information you may need to know. Road closings for the fireworks? What's new at the Farmers Market? A concert at the Devou Park band shell and an exhibit at the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Click the link below for all the details.
|
ALSO THIS WEEKEND:
This weekend the Covington Firefighters will be stationed throughout the city collecting for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 100% of the money collected will go to support research and those affected by muscular diseases. Please take a moment and watch this emotional video of Shaun Probert, a Shaker Heights Fireman, Local 516, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. He is the new MDA spokesperson, replacing Kelly Crush, an IAFF Firefighter from Wichita Falls, TX Local 432 who died in March from ALS. Help us help our "Brother" who is now "on the other side of the boot" in helping the children who suffer from Muscular Dystrophy.
|
SEE ALSO: Wolf & Company, the Fifth Street lunch spot, gets a great review in Wine Me, Dine Me 
|
SMALL KENTUCKY TOWN IS CENTER FOR ECLIPSE CHASERS
Hopkinsville is chosen by the Heavens:
This southwestern Kentucky town has hit the astronomical jackpot. When a total eclipse of the sun darkens skies on Aug. 21, 2017, the show will last longer in a stretch of bucolic hill country near Hopkinsville than any place on the planet. It will last two minutes and 40 seconds, not much longer than the Kentucky Derby.
Full story: Huffington Post 
Posted by at 3 comments:
More Stories About: , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 29 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
| 
|
by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
|
SCHOOLS HOST FOCUS GROUP ON DRUG TESTING STUDENTS WEDNESDAY
If you wish to weigh in on the current debate at Covington Independent Public Schools, consider attending this focus group about the possibility of drug-testing the district's students:
Many schools have random student drug testing programs in place. These programs randomly test students who participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, as well as students who drive to school. Court decisions have upheld the test of these categories of students. The purpose of the program is to serve as a detterent. The Covington Board of Education is currently exploring the possibility of implementing a program for students in grades 6-12. The district also is hosting a focus group meeting from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, to hear from students, parents and the community regarding a student drug testing program. The meeting will be in the Holmes High School Cafe'. We value your opinion. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. Thank you for your participation.
There is an online survey to take at the link: Click Here 
|
GOVERNOR REORGANIZES TECH, CAREER SCHOOLS
Governor Steve Beshear signed an executive order Tuesday that would move technical and career education under the same umbrella at the middle and high school level:
Currently, local high schools can operate career and technical programs using local and state funds. Those programs report to the Kentucky Department of Education. The state also has 53 technical centers for 123 school districts that are paid for with state funds. That career and technical program reports to the Department for Workforce Investment. The executive order moves both systems to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Full story: Herald-Leader/Beth Musgrave
|
IF SCHOOLS KILL CREATIVITY, CAN TOYS BRING IT BACK TO LIFE?
Computers save the day:
In an education world obsessed with curriculum standards and high-stakes testing, students are funneled onto particular tracks, rather than being allowed to choose their own adventures and explore their passions (a phenomenon that education expert Sir Ken Robinson says is killing creativity) But if the contemporary education model discourages kids' curiosity and creativity, a new generation of companies are finding ways to emulate Lego and encourage those traits through play.
Full story: GOOD 
|
JOHN G. CARLISLE SCHOOL PTA HOSTS GRILL-OUT
From Covington Independent Public Schools:
Nearly 100 parents, students, staff and community members attended John G. Carlisle's Cubs Council PTA kickoff on Tuesday. Organizers were thrilled with the turnout. But its not too late to become a member of the PTA. Cubs Council meetings will be held the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m., usually in the school cafeteria.

The officers include President, Sande Shepherd; Secretary/Treasurer, Kerry McHugh; Vice President/Organization and Communications, Kerry Holleran; Vice President/Membership,Francisco Pabon; Vice President/Activities, Shana Lack; Vice President/Fundraising, Christi Blair.

 More photos: Facebook 
|
DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
Lawsuit hopes to force election for vacant Covington School Board seat; Workers inside an historic Kentucky building discover the remnants of an old sex club; Plus, it's time for another installment of "What is Covington Selling on Craigslist?"
Full story: The RC News: Tuesday Evening Round-Up |
QUICKIES
|
Democratic state senate candidate Jim Noll says he has been endorsed by former Congressman Ken Lucas Facebook 
|
State Police: Human remains belong to woman who was scalped WBKO 
|
KY Court weights $24 million gas royalty verdict CBS 
|
Speaking of gas... how much did you pay this morning?
$3.95 at Liberty Tobacco & Beer on Fifth Street
|
KY Appeals Court to decide immigration case AP 
|
Man flies from England to KY to meet underage girl WKYT 
|
Cincinnati threatens Duke Energy over streetcar costs Cincinnati Enquirer 
|
Former Republican US Senator from Kentucky disappointed with GOP's shift to the right cn|2 
|
Sons tell KY delegation about growing up Romney cn|2 
|
Lexington city council poised to ban aerial fireworks Herald-Leader 
|
A BUSY NIGHT IN DOWNTOWN COVINGTON
Rapper Machine Gun Kelly drew a big crowd to the Madison Theater in Covington...

|
PROGRESS CONTINUES ON COVINGTON LIBRARY EXPANSION

|
DONNA SALYERS FABULOUS FURS FALL FASHION PREVIEW TONIGHT
A fashion show tonight in Downtown Covington...
More details: Click Here 
|
GLBT MAGAZINE FEATURES MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE'S PAWRADE
Check out this great photo from the publishers of CNKY Scene:
|
LEADING THE WAY ON A 21ST CENTURY WATERFRONT
Something to learn from for Covington?
"Most of all, there’s a growing awareness that the great waterfronts are the ones where there’s a lot of activity in the water itself," says Stan Eckstut, EE&K's senior principal. He points to Baltimore and Sydney, where revitalization schemes didn’t end at land but extended into the water and its uses, making for busier ports with more services and more amenities.

Waterfronts attached to urban cities have evolved too far from their historic character, Eckstut says. As a result of new ideas about zoning as well as trends specific to the maritime industry, such as containerization, some urban waterfronts have fallen into disuse. But not all waterfronts need to be harbors to be successful. And certainly not all waterfronts need to be parks.
Full story with lots of great photos: The Atlantic Cities 
Posted by at 2 comments:
More Stories About: , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, August 23, 2012

COVINGTON LANDING COMES BACK TO LIFE DURING FOOD TRUCK EVENT

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
| 
|
by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
|
Covington Landing sprung back to life Thursday afternoon as several mobile food vendors and street food stand operators encircled the mostly dormant spot on the Ohio River. The street eats event, sponsored by Renaissance Covington and the BLDG, was very well attended and all the vendors sold out. Food trucks won approval from the City Commission earlier this month to operate on privately owned property during lunchtime hours, though this particular event was held with special permission. Lots of workers from nearby buildings, particularly the IRS, seemed to enjoy eating outside along the river, taking in the view of Cincinnati and the Ohio River murals. It was a great time! Nice to see some life on the Landing - what a terrific location.
|


















Posted by at No comments:
More Stories About: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 22 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
| 
|
by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
|
CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART ONE
"The commission is not authorized to consider this." A reporter from the Cincinnati Enquirer took exception to an item on Tuesday night's city commission agenda and took his case to the podium. One commissioner threatened to have him removed from the meeting. What went down, and what the agenda item was about, at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
|
CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART TWO
Twelve Covington dispatchers will be offered employment in the new consolidated dispatch center; The community development department will lose its second top manager in the past two months; All the dollars set aside for rehabbing upper floors of Downtown buildings are claimed; Your full Covington Commission recap -- at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
|
GOVERNING BODY OF NEW DISPATCH CENTER HOLDS FIRST MEETING
More on the consolidated dispatch center that will soon begin covering Covington:
“When we’re bringing two different cultures together, two different environments, obviously we’ve got to learn to work together and just get to know each other,” said Ed Butler, who’ll direct the Kenton County Emergency Communications Center. “But from a public safety standpoint, the public shouldn’t notice any differences.”
Butler made his comments after the initial meeting of the Kenton County Emergency Communications Board, which will serve as the governing body for the new dispatch entity.
The switch to the new consolidated dispatch center is planned for Sept. 30, Butler said. Initially, the new entity will dispatch police, fire and emergency medical services for unincorporated Kenton county and the cities of Covington, Taylor Mill, Independence, Ryland Heights, Fairview and Kenton Vale.
|
PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROTEST FUNDING FOR DISPATCH CENTER
Local attorney and radio personality Eric Deters shared this note from a woman named Denise Moore via Facebook:
I found out Friday August 17, 2012 this ordinance was passed on August 14, 2012. I am going to the Fiscal Court meeting on August 28, 2012 at 303 Court Street, Old Courthouse, Covington, at 7 PM on the third floor to speak out against the fee “tax.” If you get on kentoncounty.org and click on 911 fee, you can read the entire ordinance.
What this means is that if you have more than one parcel of property, even a vacant lot, you will pay for each one, each year, $85.00. If you own a condo and a garage separate, you will pay $85.00 each year for each of them. However, if you own a rental complex, no matter how many renters in a building and if there are several buildings on one parcel, the owner only pays the $85.00 one time each year.
Only Property Owners are paying the $85.00 fee tax. No one who rents has to pay the fee “tax.”
I want to make it clear that I am not against paying a fee for the 911 service. I just feel that everyone in Kenton County should have to pay and not just the property owners.

Please come to the Fiscal Court meeting on August 28, 2012 as I will be speaking out against this tax that only the property owners have to pay. Otherwise, you will get the bill for the “fee” sent to you on your October property tax bill.
Read the full note: Facebook 
|
WHAT IS THE NEW D-TEAM IN THE COVINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT?
Part of the reorganization plan within the Covington Police Department as presented Tuesday night by Chief Spike Jones is the creation of something called the D-Team. What is it? The D-Team will consist of: 2 federal task force officers (DEA and FBI) that work with federal law enforcement agencies during large scale investigations in the local area; 2 officers assigned to the Housing Authority of Covington who will work during peak hours of activity around Covington housing projects like City Heights; 3 officers assigned as street corner officers, dressed in plain clothes; 2 officers assigned as narcotics/vice investigators; and 2 officers assigned as fusion officers who will serve as a bridge between the patrol shifts, neighborhood associations, block watches, and code enforcement ensuring communication and assisting with quality of life issues.
|
COVINGTON SCHOOLS SEEK DRUG TESTING SURVEY PARTICIPATION
From Covington Independent Public Schools:
Many schools have random student drug testing programs in place. These programs randomly test students who participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, as well as students who drive to school. Court decisions have upheld the test of these categories of students. The purpose of the program is to serve as a detterent. The Covington Board of Education is currently exploring the possibility of implementing a program for students in grades 6-12. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. Thank you for your participation.
To take the survey, click here.
|
DUKE ENERGY FOUNDATION APPLAUDS COVINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
"We applaud Covington. This is why you keep getting checks from us, you have such great projects going on," said Rhonda Whitaker, executive director of the Duke Energy Foundation. The organization presented a $10,000 check to the Covington Business Council for its Clean & Safe program at Tuesday night's city commission meeting. "Covington is really stepping out to improve economic development in the region."
|
"We appreciate it and look forward to bigger checks in the future," Mayor Chuck Scheper quipped.
Pat Frew of the CBC and Rhonda Whitaker
|
IN GLOBAL ECONOMY, ALL JOB CREATION IS LOCAL
Interesting:
About half of the jobs created between 1990 and 2008 (before our current downturn) were created in education, health care, and government. What do those sectors have in common? They're all local. You can't send them to Korea. As Michael Spence has explained, corporations have gotten so good at "creating and managing global supply chains" that large companies no longer grow much in the United States. They expand abroad. As a result, the vast majority (more than 97 percent, Spence says!) of job creation now happens in so-called non-tradable sectors -- those that exist outside of the global supply chain -- that are often low-profit-margin businesses, like a hospital, or else not even businesses at all, like a school or mayor's office.
Full story: The Atlantic Cities 
|
FUTURE PLANS FOR THE MIKE FINK MAY BE PRESENTED TONIGHT
At tonight's meeting of the Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association, Jimmy Bernstein will discuss the Mike Fink floating restaurant which has long been dormant on the City's Ohio River shoreline. The meeting starts at 7:00PM and The River City News will have it covered for you.
|
|
SECOND FOOD TRUCK INVASION SLATED FOR THURSDAY
The food trucks will return to Covington Thursday (tomorrow) from 11:00AM to 2:00PM, this time at Covington Landing. Mobile food vendors, as they are more formally known, recently won approval for operation in Covington from the city commission. A previous event in July was met with great enthusiasm from attendees and some reservations from local restaurant owners. Thursday's event promises to host even more vendors, not all of which are food trucks, including Covington-based Gomez Salsa, as well as Street Pops, Cafe de Wheels, C'est Cheese, PizzaBomba, EAT! Mobile Dining, and New Orleans To Go. 
|
QUICKIES
|
Man gets life in prison for killing Ohio woman and dumping parts of her body in Covington WLWT 
|
Iraqi men plead guilty in Kentucky terrorism case AP 
|
Sens. Paul, McConnell join forces to assail health care reform cn|2 
|
At tea party rally, Sen. McConnell viewed with mixed results Bluegrass Politics 
|
Sen. Paul promises to repeal Obamacare, but also promises health care for everyone WFPL 
|
Lawmakers look for action on Kentucky's pension problems WKYT 
|
KY employers, workers groups differ on pension issue Courier-Journal 
|
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce offers advice to tax reform commission Chamber 
|
Democrat Bill Adkins endorsed by Kentucky Hemp Initiative in race to represent NKY in Congress click here 
|
Fifth Third Bank faces class action suit over payday loans Business Courier 
|
Why counting every horse in Kentucky is important Herald-Leader 
|
Get your whooping cough vaccine! NKY Health Dept 
|
Film explores life of Kentucky civil rights leader AP 
|
Kentucky cloggers represent USA in Ireland Herald-Leader 
|
Anthony Davis's unibrow artwork is for sale KSR 
|
THIS WEEKEND, CASH MOB IN COVINGTON!
Cash Mob NKY won't say where yet, but a posting on Facebook indicates an effort to flood a local business or endeavor with money:
It has come to my attention that our post outlining the Cash Mob for this Saturday may not have gone out to everyone. For those that did not receive it, please note that we are planning on meeting in Covington at 10:45 am for an 11:00 mobbing. More info to follow as to the specific meeting location. Once there we will share our beneficiary and walk to the location. Please remember to bring at least $20 in cash to spend. Also bring along family and friends who wish to support local businesses and make a difference in this economy. Please comment on this post if you plan to attend and how many others you will bring along. We will be visiting a locally owned eatery afterward for lunch. I can't wait to meet you all.
Will let you know when more is known, or follow NKY Cash Mob on Facebook. 
|
DONNA SALYERS: "WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF A FAUX FUR REVOLUTION!"
Donna Salyers, owner of Fabulous Furs and Fabulous Bridal in Downtown Covington (among other things), is profiled in Cincy Chic:
"We're in the midst of a faux fur revolution" says Donna Salyers, founder of Donna Salyers' Fabulous-Furs. As queen of the faux fur fashion industry, Salyers is ready to meet that revolution head on and en vogue.

Salyers didn't just wake up one day at the top of the industry, but fashion has always been a part of her life. "Fashion is in my DNA," Salyers says. "Even at the age of seven, I was compelled to sew clothes that my mother actually let me wear in public." Growing up, she learned the technical side of sewing from a grandmother who worked in alterations in Cincinnati's finest stores. "She taught me a great deal, and at the age of about 29, I wrote a letter to the Cincinnati Enquirer editor advising even I could write a sewing column superior to what they published each week."
Full story: Cincy Chic/Amanda Stout 
Posted by at No comments:
More Stories About: , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, August 5, 2012

WHAT THE FOOD TRUCK ZONING ORDINANCE ACTUALLY SAYS

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
| 
|
by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
|
**********************************************************
TAKE THE POLL:
Do you support allowing food trucks to operate in Covington?
  

***********************************************************
|
On Tuesday the Covington City Commission will vote on whether to permit food trucks to operate here. The following is the language of the zoning ordinance as explained by the City's zoning administrator in a document obtained by The River City News:
Section 6.34 Mobile Food Vending Service 
6.34.01 Mobile Food Vending Services may be permitted only in commercial zoning districts, provided that all of the following criteria are met: 
A. The mobile food vending service must be located entirely on private property and shall not be located in any required setback, sight distance triangle, buffer, or public right-of-way. 
B. Any operator of a mobile food vending service must receive and display a valid zoning compliance permit from the Zoning Administrator. 
C. The maximum duration of a mobile food vending service permit is for 30 days at one location, renewable up to 2 additional times, for a total period of 90 days per calendar year at a single location. 
D. The operator of a mobile food vending service shall obtain, in writing, the permission of the property owner to operate on his property and shall submit a copy to Community Development 
E. If the operator of a mobile food vending service is issued a notice of any municipal code violation at the location assigned for the permit, then the operator or his/her agent(s) are not eligible to renew the permit at that location for a period of one year.   
F. Trash receptacles shall be provided for customers to dispose of food wrappers, food utensils, paper products, cans, bottles, food, and other such waste. Such receptacle shall be located not more than 10 feet from the mobile food vendor.
G. The hours of operation shall be between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM 
H. The event shall not locate in any minimum required parking spaces for other businesses on the site. Parking spaces may be shared with other uses on the site, unless the Zoning Administrator determines that parking congestion problems will be present on the site. The Zoning Administrator may require additional parking to alleviate the congestion. If enough parking cannot be provided, the use may not be located on the site. 
I. Any person(s) so engaged shall not be relieved from complying with the provisions of this section by reason of association with any local dealer, trader, operator, merchant, organization, or auctioneer, or by conducting the mobile food vending service in connection with, as part of, or in the same name of any local dealer, trader, operator, merchant, organization, or auctioneer. 
J. The mobile food vendor must meet all applicable local and state codes. 
BACKGROUND 
A number of questions from the community, City Staff, and prospective businesses have surfaced regarding mobile food vendors (commonly called “food trucks”). Currently, the Zoning Ordinance does not permit these vendors on private property, and the City Code of Ordinances does not permit this activity in the public right-of-way. The only time for these vendors to operate in the City of Covington is during Special Events with the required Special Events permit process. The “Food Truck Invasion” event that took place on Friday, July 27th, 2012 was permitted through the Special Event Permit process. This proposed text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance would only allow mobile food vendors on privately
owned parking lot properties per a written agreement with the property owner. This proposed text amendment will not permit mobile food vendors in the public right-of-way (sidewalks and streets). 
Concern has risen regarding mobile food vendors after the recent “Food Truck Invasion” event. Many of the concerns will be addressed through the proposed use-specific standards established Section 6.34 above. The jurisdiction of zoning is only for private property, therefore the proposed language will regulate how, when, and where mobile food vendors are able to operate on only private property. Before
the mobile food vendor’s application is even reviewed, private property owner permission must be presented to the Zoning Administrator in conjunction with the submittal of a formal Commercial Zoning Permit Application ($80 one time) and Occupational License Permit Application ($50/annual). These associated fees are the exact same as any business and applicant. The Commercial Zoning Permit is valid for a period not to exceed 30 days at one location. This permit may be renewed up to two (2) additional times for that location, per calendar year. These permits, along with necessary certification from the State Health Department must be displayed at all times during operation. Should the mobile food vendor fail to
present the proper documentation, the mobile food vendor must cease operation at that location and may not operate at that location for a full calendar year. 
The regulations established by proposed Section 6.34 will also regulate on-site operation of the mobile food vendor. The hours of permitted operation are between 10:00 AM up until 3:30 PM. This is to ensure that the customer base is the “grab-and-go lunch crowd” only. In addition, each truck must provide a trash receptacle for customers to dispose of food wrappers, food utensils, etc… within 10 feet of the
vendor to prevent any littering. Also, in order to ensure the operation will not have an adverse impact on available/required parking, the mobile food vendor operation must not minimize the number of spaces below that which is required by the adopted parking schedule established by Section 7.04 of the Zoning Ordinance. This will be reviewed with the application by the Zoning Administrator. If not enough parking
can be provided, the mobile food vendor will not be permitted at that location.By introducing mobile food vendors as a permitted use in certain commercial zoning districts, with the aforementioned specific use regulations, the community will have access to an even wider variety of food choices and increased sidewalk/street/pedestrian activity. Food Cartolotgy, a study conducted by the
Urban Vitality Group out of Portland, OR, found that food carts have “significant community benefits to neighborhood livability by fostering social interactions, walkability, and by providing interim uses for vacant parcels.”
|
Of the eleven commercial or industrial zones established in Covington, eight would be permitted to welcome food trucks as long as the above criteria are met. (The zones are abbreviated in the document and no map is available online to pinpoint exactly where the boundaries are. However, food trucks will be able to operate within the following zones: Commercial Community, Commercial General, Central Business District, Commercial Tourist, Commercial Office, Commercial Riverfront General, Industrial Park, and Industrial Limited. They will not be permitted in Commercial Neighborhood, Commercial Riverfront Limited, or Industrial General.)
|
|
Kim Blank, executive director of the Mainstrasse Village Association wrote at The River City News Facebook page, "The Commissioners should talk to Eric and Alex from Goodfellas regarding food trucks. They are dealing with this situation in Lexington right now and said it is not pretty."
|
She is correct in noting that a similar debate is unfolding in Lexington (where Goodfellas operates two other locations) as detailed in this articles and editorials:
Herald-Leader: Food Truck Vendors Share Petitions 
Herald-Leader: Food Truck Vendors Hunger for City Approval
Herald-Leader: Food Truck Gathering Cooks Up Support for Mobile Food Vendors 
Herald-Leader Editorial: Food Trucks: Bring 'em on Lexington 
|
Meanwhile, in Saint Louis where yet another similar debate played out, one food truck is doing so well that it is opening its own permanent space:
Over the past week, bits of news sent ripples through the food truck streetscape. Growing pizza mini-empire Pi Pizzeria announced it was closing its St. Louis and Washington-based food trucks, while Seoul Taco — a phenomenally popular truck that just launched last year — said it would open a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in the Delmar Loop.
For Seoul Taco, run by two 27-year-olds, the truck was a launching pad — a low-capital way to jump into the restaurant business.
“We feel more confident opening a restaurant now,” said David Choi, co-owner. “Our brand is out there; it's a recognized name. If we started as a restaurant, there's a lot more overhead.”
Full story: St. Louis Today 
|
It would appear that the St. Louis food truck that started as a mobile vendor before transforming into a permanent restaurant is not alone:
For entrepreneurs who dream of opening a restaurant, it's a cheaper and less risky way to get into business. If a cart or truck is at a location where it's not doing well, it's easily driven elsewhere. But an owner with a store in a bad location is stuck — usually with a lease. Restaurant failure rates are high — studies generally put it around 30 percent in the first year of operation. The trucks themselves are great advertising for mobile or fixed locations. Trucks in New York called, simply, Pizza Truck, are bright red or a collage of psychedelic colors. Kogi trucks, which operate in Los Angeles, have big red flames painted on their sides.
Most of this new generation of street food purveyors wants to open a restaurant someday, says Jim Ellison, a food court coordinator with the Economic Community Development Institute of Columbus, Ohio, who helps truck operators set up their businesses. "I work with nine trucks and 14 carts, and all would like to have a brick-and-mortar store."
Flirty Cupcakes started its first truck in May 2010 and added a second one that December. The $60,000 startup cost for each was significantly less than the $150,000 it took to open a bakery and restaurant in February. The low cost of operating the truck allowed owner Tiffany Kurtz to use the money she made to save up to open the store.
Full story: Associated Press
Posted by at 3 comments:
More Stories About: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)