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Local entrepreneur proposes pedal‑powered ice cream cart; commission asks staff to research other cities’ vending rules
Summary
A resident proposed a non‑motorized bicycle ice cream cart for the beach area; the commission asked staff to research how other municipalities regulate mobile and non‑motorized vending and report back.
A St. Augustine Beach resident proposed a pedal‑powered ice cream cart and asked the commission to consider establishing a new ordinance category for non‑motorized vending.
Brandon Rahi told the commission he intends to operate “a bicycle based ice cream cart” on paved beach‑area sidewalks and bike lanes, not in the sand, and asked the city to consider a special category such as a “non‑motorized food dispensing unit.” “My cart would be in motion most of the time. I'd follow a route along legal sidewalks and bike lanes, only stop briefly in safe pullout areas,” Rahi said, adding he would carry liability insurance and a leave‑no‑trace policy.
Commissioners thanked Rahi for the suggestion and several asked staff to investigate how other municipalities treat non‑motorized vending, pilot programs and potential permitting or variance options. Commissioner Samora specifically asked staff to “dig up some other ordinances out there” so the commission can consider options that balance small mobile businesses and impacts on brick‑and‑mortar shops.
Ending
Staff will research mobile‑vending rules used by other cities and return with potential ordinance language, pilot programs or variance options for commission consideration.
