By Patrick Sherry
Lantana Town Council members like the idea of holding more town-sponsored food truck events as long as local restaurants aren’t hurt by the competition.
At their Oct. 10 workshop, council members discussed potential revisions to the town’s food truck regulations. Their biggest fear was seeing food trucks take business away from established restaurants.
“These restaurant owners are investors in our town, and if we’re going to allow these food trucks to come in here, we are taking away from investors who put their time and money — maybe even their savings — all into owning a restaurant,” Council member Chris Castle said. “If they leave, then what do we have for our people?”
Council members said they want to protect the restaurants while still allowing for food truck events that are popular in the community.
Currently, food trucks are only allowed on public property during town-sponsored events. Food trucks on private property are limited to three hours of operation at any given time and must have the written consent of the property owner. Other venues where food trucks are stationary in one location and operate like a standard restaurant must follow normal restaurant regulations.
Council members agreed to maintain their current stance on only allowing food trucks on public property for town-sponsored events, but they were open to implementing more events to improve community involvement.
As for food trucks on private property, officials will consider increasing how long the trucks are allowed to operate at any one time, how they will dispose of their waste, and other potential permitting changes.
After researching the possible options, town staff will bring back recommendations for the council to consider at a future date.
“This is all about resources for the community,” Mayor Karen Lythgoe said. “It’s got to not hurt the neighbors on the next street over.”
The Town Council is preparing to hold more workshops on a regular basis. No formal decisions can be made at them; instead, they serve as a time for preliminary policy discussions where council members, through consensus, can give direction to staff on what they want to see brought back to them for official action.
The council tentatively announced its next workshop will take place on Nov. 21.
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