GRANVILLE, OH– After a deluge of questions during a public hearing Wednesday, Village Council postponed action on legislation that would allow mobile food trucks to operate in six areas of town.

Council members agreed to continue the public hearing Sept. 3, and the legislation may be revised slightly to allow pulled food trailers in addition to trucks.

Although there were comments both for and against the proposal, it appeared many of those in attendance, both established restaurant owners and mobile food truck owners, wanted to see maps of where the mobile food vendors would be allowed.

Councilman Matt McGowan suggested tabling action “to allow more people to inquire and look at maps — allowing everyone to feel more comfortable.”

Village Law Director Michael King said he would check the Ohio Revised Code for clarification of the types of mobile apparatuses that are covered.

“We will be more specific about what is covered and what isn’t,” he said, adding, however, that units such as hot dog push carts would not be included.

The food trucks proposal came about after one vendor, Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, owned by Granville Township residents Jessica Collins and James Anderson, put in a request a year ago for a permit to operate in Granville.

King said that after a review of ordinances, there was no way to accommodate the request, which led to the new proposal.

Kara Gallagher, who with her husband Greg Tracey opened Moe’s Original Bar B Que downtown on April 1, expressed concern about bringing more competition to town.

“We were really excited to come to Granville. We love this town,” she said. “We’re really happy here. For a barbecue food truck to be in Granville would be possibly devastating to us. We’d like an opportunity to survive.

“This is a small town. Two barbecue places?” Gallagher said.

Jay Snyder of Granville, who in May opened the Steam Roller Bagel Sandwiches food truck, said his truck currently operates one day a week at the Beverage Source on Church Street, just outside of Granville.

“We would very much like to do more within Granville,” he said. “This (legislation) provides us with somewhat of an opportunity.”

Snyder said that 70 percent of his menu items come from growers within 30 miles of Granville, and his business regularly donates back to the community.

“I am excited to be a part of what we’re doing here and I understand the concerns of others,” he said, but added that sometimes food trucks are open when brick-and-mortar restaurants are closed. He said he does not yet have a Granville location picked out if food trucks are allowed.

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