Food truck foot race heats up

SHERWOOD, Ore. — Aspiring food cart pod business owners in Sherwood are vying for business.

At an April 7 public hearing, Sherwood City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance to change property zoning along Tualatin-Sherwood Road that would allow food cart pod development opportunities, requested in order to potentially develop a food cart pod by ORWA Sherwood, LLC.

Council members and Mayor Tim Rosener were of split opinions on the matter, wondering whether allowing food cart pod zoning in the industrial area would preclude food cart pod developments from succeeding in Old Town.

“I'm a huge fan of food carts as well. And I mostly like the location,” Sherwood City Councilor Taylor Giles said. “The big negative on this is by saying, ‘hey, we want our food cart pod in this area,’ is we are saying we do not want food cart pods in Old Town, essentially … By saying yes, we are delaying this other thing because I just don’t see it being economically feasible.” 

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According to Eric Rutledge, community development director with the City of Sherwood, applicants may still be required to submit a market study  to demonstrate that there is a need for a food cart pod at the size and location proposed, even after city council votes on the zoning change.

“Regardless of location in Sherwood, either in Old Town, along Highway 99W, or Tualatin-Sherwood Road, food cart pods require a Conditional Use Permit,” Rutledge said.

Old Town food cart pod 

In addition to the Tualatin-Sherwood Road food cart pod development location, another food cart pod hopeful is working on their business plan with the city, as well — this one called “Little John’s,” to potentially be located in Old Town at the Old St. Francis Church.

Jessica Balfour and her husband David are currently pending purchase of the old white church property near Old Town Sherwood, which would also need a zoning change to be eligible for their food cart pod plan.

“The city can only support one pod, however. We are in a bit of a foot race with ORWA,” Balfour said. “(We are) working with the city to develop this site into a food cart pod for the community. We are about one step behind ORWA in this process.”

Both projects need the zoning change and land use approval before development can begin.

“My husband David and I grew up in Sherwood and have had this dream for almost five years. We waited and talked with the city throughout these years and finally when code was amended in 2024 we began our search for the right property to build,” Balfour said. “We jumped on the chance to purchase and have a plan (to) renovate this building into an eating hall and build outdoor covered seating, 12-15 carts, and a play area for kids. (We are) a local development group building a more quaint but historical facility in the heart of Sherwood for the community.”

Balfour’s purchase of the Old Church is slated to close on April 10, after meeting with the city on March 19 and 24 to discuss the pre-application process.

“We really have gone back and forth about moving forward knowing there is a competing plan but we’ve recently made the decision with confidence to continue moving forward with our plan,” Balfour said. “​After the initial comments from the city, we are moving forward with our project towards next steps for permitting.”

She said they hired Tualatin-based AKS Engineering to start the process for development.

“(Our) local Sherwood family plans to renovate a historic building in Old Town Sherwood to gather the community together with a tasteful food cart pod,” Balfour said. ““I don’t think the city can support two food cart pods, we aren’t big enough. There is no doubt that ORWA’s design and plan is fantastic, but so is ours. They are very different.”

Tualatin-Sherwood Road food cart pod

Brenda Christine of ORWA Sherwood, LLC is spearheading the Tualatin-Sherwood Road food cart pod. ORWA owns two properties along Century Drive. Brian Varricchione, urban planner and civil engineer at Mackenzie, spoke at the public hearing on behalf of ORWA. 

“Our client is interested in developing a food cart pod, or at least having the option to do so,” Varricchione said. “We met with city staff, and over the course of a year, perhaps collaboratively approached, how can we facilitate just having the option for additional food cart pods in the city.”

Hugo Hamblin-Agosto, associate planner with the community development department for the City of Sherwood, said the process includes land use review and conditional use permitting; development planning, permitting, and construction approval; and then food cart pod management by ORWA of individual food cart leases and regulations.

According to Rutledge, this approval “allow(s) certain light industrial zoned properties along Tualatin-Sherwood Road to submit a land use application for review by the city,” which is the next step for this food cart pod business.

“The text amendment would provide the opportunity for food carts in more locations in the city, specifically on certain light industrial zoned properties along Tualatin-Sherwood Road, but the applicant would need to demonstrate a need before one is approved,” Rutledge said.

“We think we submitted enough evidence here to demonstrate consistency with your comprehensive plan and the state rule,” Varricchione said.

Council Response

Sherwood City Councilor Renee Brouse said she loves the design work so far for the Tualatin-Sherwood Road food cart pod proposal, and is appreciative of how the staff and applicant worked together.

“I want to see a food cart pod, but I am concerned about … hampering the ability to have one in the Old Town area,” Brouse said. “I would rather see us finish the (Old Town) Strategic Plan.”

Councilor Kim Young said when the city first started hearing about the possibility of a food cart pod about a year ago, she thought it was “brilliant.” 

“I would be in favor of this, and if one is also interested in Old Town, then present the plan,” Young said. 

Councilor Mays said he is not a fan of these facilities. He said business owners who open up brick-and-mortar restaurants nearby could lose money with the competition. 

“I'm disappointed if we advance this … and if we do, we sabotage any ambitious folks,” Mays said. “There’s rumored to be at least two projects in Old Town (and) if this was passed … I agree it would obliterate that potential.”

Councilor Scott said the Old Town plan included conversations about food cart pods, but it was not a central component. 

“I think in general (Tualatin-Sherwood Road) is a better location for this type of facility we’re talking about here … this is a 15 to 20 cart pod on a fairly large site with lots of options,” Scott said. “Old Town is very constrained … you can still have a boutique food cart pod in Old Town … you could have both, I think they serve different markets.”

Council discussed the walkability of Old Town compared to the commercial area, and how both could bring in tourism and shoppers, driving business to Sherwood. 

Mayor Rosener said he is in favor of the zoning change for the Tualatin-Sherwood Road food cart pod. He pointed out that any developments will still have to go through the city’s Planning Commission and permitting process, even if council approves the zoning change.

“I don’t necessarily agree that we can support only one food cart pod … I think it will bring a lot of people to Sherwood,” Rosener said. “I do think a food cart is viable downtown, because it's a different experience … I think it’s a different customer base.”