LaSalle council narrows food-truck options, denies Detour Tap food-truck permit and rejects yearlong late‑night music extension

Mayor Jeff Grove and LaSalle aldermen spent more than an hour debating food‑truck rules and special‑event permits before approving one mobile vendor license, denying a request for recurring food‑truck dates at a downtown bar and rejecting a proposed blanket extension of outdoor music hours.

The debate followed public comment from local business owners. Lee Pacula, owner of a downtown smokehouse, told the council, “I oppose it,” saying food trucks that arrive on good weather dates take customers away from brick‑and‑mortar restaurants. Will Hocking, proprietor of Detour Tap at 328 Third Street, asked for multiple food‑truck dates and a series of special‑event permits that would allow outdoor amplified music until 11 p.m. on selected Fridays and Saturdays through early June. Lacey Anderson applied for a mobile food‑vendor permit on behalf of a vendor listed in the agenda packet.

Why it matters: Council members said they want to preserve downtown restaurant revenue while allowing occasional events that can draw visitors. The discussion touched on how the city defines the downtown district, how the existing food‑truck rules…