Nolensville postpones second reading of mobile food-vendor ordinance after public comment; staff to seek zoning text amendment

NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. — The Nolensville Board of Commissioners on Feb. 6 unanimously postponed the second reading of Ordinance 20418, which would add a chapter on mobile food vending to Title 9 of the Nolensville Municipal Code, at the request of town staff and after several residents urged changes to protect a local vendor known as the Pop Stop.

Assistant Town Manager Chuck Downhill told the board the ordinance as written and the town’s zoning ordinance contain conflicts and “deficiencies” that need to be reconciled. “The text amendment would basically remove the reference to the principal use for mobile vending and also add a definition to basically refer a person that might be reviewing the zoning ordinance over to the municipal code where all of the regulatory provisions will reside,” Downhill said.

The recommendation from staff, supported by legal counsel, was to postpone action on second reading until the Planning Commission reviews a zoning text amendment so both the municipal-code ordinance and the zoning changes can be considered in tandem. Downhill said staff also prepared a comparative analysis of how other Middle Tennessee municipalities regulate mobile food vending and would provide sample regulations to the board.

The postponement followed public comment from residents and business owners who said the Pop Stop—described repeatedly as a community gathering place—would be directly affected by the draft ordinance. William Brown said, “This place isn't just about drinks, it's about community,” and multiple speakers described the Pop Stop as a regular after-school and social destination. Pop Stop co-owner Jennifer Bowens identified herself and asked the board either to amend two provisions of the draft ordinance (limits on days at one location and a ban on overnight parking) or postpone for further collaboration.

Staff clarified during discussion that any currently issued mobile-vendor permits would be allowed to run their course under their existing terms, and that staff had been advised by legal counsel not to issue new permits while the regulatory framework remains unsettled. Downhill said the town received two pending applications that staff had not issued; he later summarized that there were no active permits being issued at this time.

Vice Mayor Salimida moved to postpone the ordinance until the Planning Commission has reviewed the proposed zoning text amendment; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote. The board chair noted the Planning Commission will consider mobile food vendors at its next meeting and encouraged public participation there.

Discussion points and clarifications from the meeting included: - Staff recommended moving mobile-vendor operational rules into the municipal code and amending the zoning ordinance to remove mobile-vending as a “principal use.” - Most Middle Tennessee municipalities the town reviewed issue annual permits and do not limit the number of days a vendor may be in one location; many require written permission from property owners and enforce health and fire-safety requirements. - Staff advised not issuing new permits while the town finalizes a regulatory framework; existing permits will “run their course” and expire on their normal schedule.

The ordinance remained on the board’s docket but will return after the Planning Commission completes its review and issues a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.

Votes at a glance: Motion to postpone second reading of Ordinance 20418 — passed unanimously (voice vote).