Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Residents line up at food trucks at Houghton’s new pier during the From the Ground Festival in May. The city council approved regulations for food trucks, while also recommending the creation of a social district in downtown that would allow people to purchase drinks within the district and bring them to a common area.

HOUGHTON — The Houghton City Council approved an ordinance regulating food trucks in the city, while also starting the process for a new social district in the downtown that will allow people to take drinks outside establishments.

“I think it’s going to be a really compelling mix in our downtown and bring a lot more people downtown to enjoy meals, beverages and the beautiful waterfront that we have in Houghton,” said Councilor Virginia Cole.

The planning commission informally recommended the council approve the food truck ordinance at its May meeting.

The city is aiming to add more food options and new business opportunities, while also not giving the trucks an unfair edge against brick-and-mortar locations, according to the ordinance. During previous planning commission discussions about the trucks, restaurant owners had worried vendors nearby would cut into their business.

Councilor Robert Megowen said the discussions had been productive, and thanked the Planning Commission for its work drafting the ordinance.

“It’s nice to see we’ve taken a lot of time to comment about the subject,” he said. “I think people have had their chance to talk to us about it. Food trucks are not the same as a restaurant, not brick-and-mortar, but they’re part of our future …It might have taken five or six years, but the Planning Commission did a great job.”

On city-owned property, food trucks would need a license from the city, which could be issued on a monthly or annual basis.

Mobile food vendors in a city-controlled parking space can only stay there 16 hours within a 24-hour period. License conditions include restricting business hours to between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m., and not providing any dining space within 10 feet of the truck.

They must also have insurance and provide proof of compliance with health department regulations.

The city council also set seven city-owned spaces where the trucks can operate: the parking lot under the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, the foot of Pewabic Street, the lot at the foot of Dodge Street, the lot between Huron and Isle Royale streets, pier parallel parking, Dee Stadium parking on Portage Street, and the Chamber of Commerce parking lot north of Franklin Square. The locations were adopted in a separate resolution, making it easy to amend later if necessary.

Food trucks can also operate on private property in business or industrial districts. Like restaurants, they would not require a separate city license.

“We do not require city licensing for a restaurant on private property, so it was seen as overreach to require licensing for what was essentially the same thing,” City Manager Eric Waara said.

Events such as Bridgefest or Jibba Jabba can obtain a single temporary license allowing multiple food vendors on the site.

Another ordinance set a fee schedule for mobile vendors.

The council also passed a resolution to form a new social district in the downtown.

The districts allow businesses within the district to sell alcohol in specially marked cups, which the buyers can then take to an outdoor commons area, designated as Shelden Avenue north to the waterfront. The Den and the Keweenaw Brewing Co. are listed as local licensees in the resolution.

More than 100 municipalities have instituted districts in Michigan since then state began allowing them during the pandemic.

The district would stretch from the north side of Montezuma Avenue to the waterfront, extending from the parking lot east of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge to Franklin Square, before following Lakeshore Drive to the east side of Dee Stadium.

The commons area where people can drink is generally outdoor areas north of Shelden Avenue.

“With the rehabilitation of Lakeshore Drive, our new pier, the waterfront trail, and the past improvements the city has made to our downtown waterfront, Houghton has a huge opportunity to further capitalize on our unique assets,” Waara said in a memo to the council. “Adding a social district will help our downtown businesses further leverage those assets and create a more vibrant waterfront. It is worth an honest try. If it turns out to be a problem the council can simply resolve to dissolve it.”

Police Chief John Donnelly consulted with some of the places with social districts to see if they had encountered any issues. None reported any.

He said he would get Downtown Development Coordinator Amy Zawada in touch with some of the people that had set up their social districts.

“We’re not saying that the police department supports it, but we’re not saying we have a good reason to say you shouldn’t do it,” he said.

Wednesday’s resolution was the first step in creating the district. More details, including branding, signage, and formal participation from the establishments, still need to be worked out. Waara said the city office will work on regulations with Donnelly.

Traffic changes are also coming to downtown. The council approved changes on Pewabic and Huron streets that will take effect after Bridgefest.

Drivers will no longer be able to turn onto Pewabic Street from Montezuma Avenue. Pewabic had been a popular workaround for northbound drivers trying to avoid traffic backups on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.

Huron Street will be changed to one-way, allowing only downhill traffic from Montezuma. The street had posed sightline issues for drivers trying to come up and make a left turn.

Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly said the changes were meant to increase traffic safety and create more gaps where pedestrians could cross safely.

The changes are also intended to free up more parking in downtown. Angled parking on Pewabic will switch to perpendicular to the curb, adding more spots. Converting Huron to one-way will also open up parking, he said.