County hits brake on food truck rule changes

The county appears ready to allow food trucks to operate more freely, but officials won’t roll out the new rule for another three months, at least.

On May 5, the Sarasota County Planning Commission offered its feedback on changes to the county ordinance regulating food trucks. Staff recommended eliminating several regulations, including a requirement that food trucks must operate at least 800 feet from a brick and mortar restaurant, after discussions with the SRQ Food Truck Alliance.

The changes would also expand the area in which food trucks are permitted to operate. The Planning Commission largely agreed with those recommendations but continued the discussion to its August meeting so staff could refine the ordinance with food truck activists.

Previous discussions regarding relaxing food truck rules have generated concern from those brick-and-mortar restaurants. This time around, county Zoning Administrator Donna Thompson said she hasn’t heard any pushback from traditional restaurants.

“It’s ridiculous that you’d be allowed to put a food truck next door to an existing restaurant.” — Mark Smith

That’s not to say those concerns have dissipated entirely. Planning Commissioner Philip Kellogg warned against relaxing the regulations too much, lest restaurant owners find themselves at a competitive disadvantage given the cost of each operation.

Mark Smith, chairman of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, said restaurants he’s spoken with had similar problems with the elimination of all distance regulations.

“It’s ridiculous that you’d be allowed to put a food truck next door to an existing restaurant that’s paying property taxes, insurance and everything else,” Smith said.

Smith believes food trucks are generally a bad fit for Siesta Key and sent a letter to Thompson regarding his concerns. Under the revised ordinance, food trucks still must obtain permission from the County Commission to operate on barrier islands.

As county staff drafts a new ordinance for consideration, Thompson said the public is still welcome to share thoughts and concerns regarding the food truck rules. The Planning Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 16.

“It’ll be an open public hearing again, where people can express their support, their opinions and concerns,” Thompson said. “There’s still opportunity to refine what’s presented back to the Planning Commission.”

If the Planning Commission approves the changes at its next meeting, the regulations should go before the County Commission in the early fall, Thompson said.