Tyler council denies special-use permit for proposed food-truck park at 3521 S. Broadway

The Tyler City Council on Aug. 27 denied a special-use permit request to allow a mobile food-truck park for up to nine vehicles at 3521 South Broadway Avenue, a property currently zoned C-1 (light commercial).

Kyle, planning staff, told the council the property already contains a restaurant and shared parking and that the Unified Development Code allows food trucks in C-1 only when they operate as an approved food-truck park. He said the property had a prior one-year special-use permit approved in January 2023 for up to eight trucks that expired in January 2024 and that the applicant never reached a consistent vendor count during that period.

The planning staff recommended denial, citing uncertainty about the scale and impact of a park that would operate with “one to nine” trucks and noting concerns about adequate parking. Kyle said the site includes a commissary where trailers may be stored but are not permitted to operate without an active permit.

Councilmember Haney moved to deny the special-use permit; Councilmember Nichols seconded. The council called the question and the motion carried, denying the request. The transcript does not include a roll-call tally by name; the clerk recorded the motion as denied.

Council members asked whether denying the special-use permit would prevent the restaurant or bar from continuing indoor operations; staff confirmed an adverse decision on the SUP would not affect indoor restaurant operations. Members also noted there were complaints about noise and assaults reported on the property but that it was unclear whether those incidents were tied to truck activity because the park never reached the larger scale envisioned by its proponents.

The applicant was not present at the meeting to address council questions.

The council moved on to other zoning items after the denial. No additional conditions or appeals were recorded in the meeting minutes on the record.