Council approves first reading of mobile food vending ordinance; members agree to remove flashing/strobe lights

The Wixom City Council approved the introduction and first reading of an ordinance to amend the Wixom Code of Ordinances (Title 18) to add regulations and definitions for mobile food vending. The amendments distinguish short-term special events (7 days or less) from temporary uses (more than 7 days up to 12 months), set zoning and operations standards, and provide enforcement mechanisms.

Assistant City Manager Benson introduced the item and invited planning consultant Theo Posaloca of Carlisle Wortman Associates to summarize the changes. Posaloca said the proposed language builds on existing temporary-use and special-event structures: special events (7 days or fewer) could be administratively approved and allowed in any zoning district; temporary uses (more than 7 consecutive days, up to one year) would require planning commission review at public hearing and would be allowed in nonresidential districts except the VCA Core that contains upper-story residential. Temporary permits could receive two 12-month extensions from the building official, subject to compliance history. The draft limits the number of food trucks in VCA Core to no more than five at a time, unless a formal food court is approved.

The ordinance sets operational standards including permitted hours (typically 7 a.m.–10 p.m. in nonresidential districts and 9 a.m.–9 p.m. in residential districts), prohibition of gas generators unless electricity is not reasonably available (with performance standards for fumes and noise), and requirements that trucks not occupy parking needed to meet a site's minimum parking requirements. The draft allows the planning commission to impose reasonable conditions and includes revocation and fine mechanisms for violations; applicants may appeal revocations within 30 days.

Council discussion focused on blinking and strobe lights used by some vendors. Multiple council members and the planning consultant indicated blinking lights were permissible in certain locations under the draft (VCA Core and city parks) but required downward shielding. Several council members recounted incidents at city events where flashing lights were disruptive or could pose a risk (for example, to people with epilepsy), and argued the allowance should be removed. The council reached a consensus to remove flashing/strobe lights from permitted equipment across zoning districts; staff said that change will be reflected in the second reading.

The council also discussed fee schedule considerations. Staff recommended preserving no fee for special events while charging fees for temporary uses of more than seven consecutive days, with an option for council to set lower fees to promote temporary food truck activity.

The council approved the ordinance on first reading and directed staff to prepare the amended text (removing flashing/strobe lights) for a second reading and to bring any fee-schedule changes to council for consideration.