Mike Ellis – Planning chair Steve Beacham was on hand at the May 23 city council meeting to deliver a report from a three-person committee that has worked on issues surrounding food trucks. “We have what we think is a good solution,” he said, and explained how food trucks could be regulated in various areas of the city.
One permit would be granted for Main Street, from the Pied Piper to the train depot. Another permit would be granted on White Street, and the remainder of permits would be issued along U.S. 62 or on Arkansas Hwy. 23 South. That commercial corridor could see four individual licenses and one license for a four-unit food court.
Each of those three areas will have a separate lottery to award permits, and permits will be issued to property owners rather than to truck operators. The permit holder could then choose any properly licensed vendor.
The Parks Department could also allow food vendors in Lake Leatherwood City Park, Harmon Park, or Magnetic Spring Park.
Beacham stressed that the report was only a draft and council would have an opportunity to change it. He said the application form would note whether a food truck would require a generator to operate. No generators will be allowed downtown and any other site would be checked for potential conflicts before a permit would be issued for a site with a generator.
Beacham said other site factors would have to be checked also, including parking and ingress/egress. He mentioned that a permit fee could offset the cost of having a city official check a site.
Council will make the final decision.