Food truck revenue has grown nationally by nearly 13 percent in recent years – and mobile dining is a red-hot trend throughout northern Michigan, anchored by a strong food truck scene in Traverse City. Now other communities are tackling the issue, deciding to embrace the concept, put rules in place, or forego food trucks altogether.

ELK RAPIDS

Elk Rapids is one of the latest cities making a community-driven effort to attract food trucks, aiming for a trial period beginning Memorial Day. The town’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has made their recommendations to the Village Council, which will determine specific implementation plans. The council is expected to have a final decision by May 16, said Village Manager Bill Cooper, with food trucks likely to be parked in certain areas during summer 2016.

Elk Rapids DDA Chairman Andy LaPointe said he sees food trucks as a plus to the community, noting they bring another level of variety and overall interest in Elk Rapids.

After the DDA’s due diligence, which entailed getting input from businesses and residents, it’s clear food trucks are wanted, said LaPointe.

Yet it’s not without controversy. Michael Peterson said he has seen "not welcome" signs inside Elk Rapids businesses depicting a food truck inside a red circle with a slash. Yet Peterson is in a unique position to see both sides of the issue. He’s the owner of Elk Rapids’ Siren Hall restaurant and two food trucks. Ultimately he said he believes food trucks will add to the Elk Rapids community.

"I get it," he said about opposition, but added that people might not understand that food trucks don’t just park and make money. "People don’t realize – it’s a lot of work," noting fees, labor and food costs, and the expense for propane. "It’s not cheap," he added.

Cooper said there are three to four locations under consideration by the Village Council, including Memorial Beach, the industrial park by Short’s Brewery, and the "Dam Beach," a beach parking lot by the hydroelectric dam. Fees have not yet been determined. LaPointe said the current recommendation is for food trucks to be 150 feet away from current food establishments.

Cooper acknowledged "we don’t know a lot about the history and impact on local businesses," and said it’s not a surprise some local businesses aren’t happy about the decision, but that Elk Rapids will "try it and see what happens."

"We want to be fair to both food trucks and local business," he said, noting that food truck operators will "figure out fairly quickly if this is a market for them."

He also cited Harbor Springs’ limited number of spaces and tight controls as being a potential guide to follow.

HARBOR SPRINGS

Harbor Springs City Manager Tom Richards said the decision allowing two food trucks in the city "seems to have been fairly successful," and supports the continuation of food trucks in the city. Trucks came to Harbor Springs in 2014 after requests first surfaced.

After what he says was quite a bit of research – including meetings with the Michigan Municipal League and looking at other communities – Harbor Springs formed a committee of restaurant and business owners and began "incrementally."

It’s been going well, said Richards, who hasn’t heard concerns about food trucks taking business away from other local establishments.

Though still considered to be on a trial basis with no laws on the books, food trucks must abide by a set of requirements. These include submitting menus for review, agreeing to rules about trash upkeep and signage, and having the necessary permits from the health department. Fees are $35 per day per parking space, or $350 per month for food trucks to park in the spaces on Bay Street, near the waterfront and one block from Harbor Springs’ main downtown district.

CHARLEVOIX

Charlevoix will test a pilot food truck policy this summer, according to City Manager Mark Heydlauff. Trucks will be allowed downtown

all day on Thursdays, which is when the Charlevoix farmer’s market and summer concerts are held. The policy would also allow trucks at city beaches on Tuesdays, and every day at the airport, Depot Beach, and the city golf course.

"We have had a committee comprised of restaurant owners and food truck owners studying the issue for the last several months and we believe this is a good starting place for a policy in Charlevoix," said Heydlauff.

"Council has been looking to strike a balance between the restaurants and the food trucks. Hopefully this policy achieves this and gives us a chance to see how food trucks work in Charlevoix," he added.

PETOSKEY

In Petoskey, Downtown Director Becky Goodman said food trucks will not be in the city in summer 2016, adding that there have been very few inquiries.

"Neither City Council or the Downtown Management Board have ever discussed the topic, however our current ordinance does not allow commercial activity in parks or rights of way unless it is in conjunction with a community event," added Goodman.

"In my experience the true value of food trucks is to bring vitality to downtowns that lack food service...downtown Petoskey has over 26 restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and other eateries. There is not really a need for added food facilities from a temporary truck," she said.

BOYNE CITY

Boyne City Main Street Executive Director Lori Meeder said food trucks are not allowed on public property, though some city events do have them. "We do have an annual food truck rally that is a fundraiser for our farmers market. That takes place in July," she added.

Across northern Michigan in Frankfort, the topic was the focus of a community forum discussion led by the DDA and City Council over the winter. A proposal to allow a designated public food truck space was turned down, keeping the current policy in place, which allows trucks only on private property within commercially zoned properties.

City Superintendent Joshua Mills said, "We are currently reviewing the fee schedule and the possibility of allowing food trucks at the farmers market and at special events being conducted in public space."

TRAVERSE CITY

Meanwhile in Traverse City, food trucks continue to be on the rise. The Little Fleet on East Front will offer eight trucks this summer: Anchor Station, Pleasanton Pizza, Roaming Harvest, White on Rice, Happy’s Tacos, Daily Blends, Big Dipper, and Pigs Eatin’ Ribs.

A new food truck destination will join The Little Fleet in TC this year; The Lot will bring six to eight more trucks this summer to a rented property on Eighth Street in the space between Twin Bay Glass and Wellington Street. Scott and Erica Pierson have lined up Betty’s Hot Dish, Cordwood BBQ, Wingz & Thingz, Uptown Dogs, Norma’s Tamales, and La Tropicana Fruit Cup. Two additional trucks are in negotiation to join the group. Pierson says The Lot should be open and fully operational by mid-May.