Amherst panel approves one-day food-truck for 232 Park Avenue; periodic use at 301 Church pulled

The Amherst Design Review Board voted Sept. 18 to approve the temporary placement of a mobile food truck at 232 Park Avenue for a one-day anniversary event, contingent on approval from the building department and any required permits.

The approval came after the board split a two-part application from applicant Tom Campana. The board approved the first request — a one-day placement tied to a business anniversary — and removed the second request, which sought periodic placement at 301 Church, from the agenda for further review.

Board members discussed downtown design rules and public-safety permits before voting. Chair (Design Review Board) said the board’s preference is to limit food trucks downtown except for preapproved community events, adding, “we pretty much don't want them downtown unless we're having a special community event.” The chair and other members said the board could consider a single-day exception where the city defines date, time and location.

Campana, the applicant, told the board he has a self-contained truck with a generator, trash containers and paperwork submitted to the city and said he was “willing to put in the work” to follow required steps. He also said the periodic-use site at 301 Church is owned by a private party who plans a car-detailing business and would like food-truck service for events; the board declined to act on that open-ended request at this meeting.

Board members cited specific placement rules that would apply when the building department reviews the permit: a minimum 10-foot clear sidewalk zone (the downtown sidewalk in question measures about 9 feet 5 inches), required clearances from doorways and other vendors, limits on proximity to existing restaurants, and coordination with fire-department and other permit requirements. The chair summarized those standards during discussion: trucks must not block parking or the roadway, must leave a 10-foot pedestrian zone, cannot be within 15 feet of a doorway, cannot be within 20 feet of another truck, and cannot be within 100 feet of an existing restaurant.

James (board member) moved to approve the appropriateness of the one-day placement at 232 Park Avenue “contingent upon the building department’s approval.” Miss Hermit seconded. In roll call, Mister York voted yes; Mister Swanzer voted yes; Mister Rush voted no; Miss Harmich voted yes; and the chair voted yes. Mister Fox was recorded absent earlier in the meeting. The motion carried; the board instructed Campana to seek permits from the building department and any other required city offices before the event.

Board members and staff advised Campana to work with the building department and, where relevant, Main Street Amherst to confirm whether the event would qualify as a preapproved community event and to obtain required permits. A board member suggested contacting Teresa Gillis at Main Street Amherst for information on special events coordination.

With the one-day approval contingent on permitting, the board removed the second, periodic-use request for 301 Church from the agenda so the applicant could pursue clearer timing, location and permitting through the building department.