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Harlingen commission approves special-use permit for food-truck park with limits after neighbor concerns
Summary
A special-use permit for a food-truck park at 2906 South Expressway 83 was approved with conditions limiting the number of trucks and restricting late-night hours following neighbor concerns about parking and traffic; the applicant said trucks will operate primarily during business hours and will not serve alcohol or play music.
The Harlingen City Commission approved a special-use permit allowing a food-truck park at 2906 South Expressway 83 after commissioners and residents raised concerns about parking, traffic, and potential late-night operations.
Commissioners discussed calls and messages from neighbors near the proposed site; planning staff clarified that the applicant's requested seating layout produced an occupancy load of 31 people, which produced a parking calculation of nine required spaces under the city's current ordinance. Commissioners and neighbors said existing businesses already occupy substantial parking on the lot during weekday hours.
James Judkins, the applicant and owner of the former funeral-home property, told the commission he has 43 employees at his businesses and that his plan was to use the food-truck park primarily to serve employees and nearby workers. He said, "We do have 43 employees, so you're pretty good at part counting cars," and added, "We don't intend any music. We don't intend any alcohol." He also told commissioners he expected some trucks to operate in the morning and daytime and that he did not intend evening or weekend operations.
Commissioners expressed concern about the proposal's initial maximum of 10 food trucks and the potential for street parking and traffic on Louisiana Street. One commissioner asked the applicant to consider a smaller maximum and more restrictive hours to reduce neighborhood impact. The applicant told the commission he would be willing to limit the operation; when asked the maximum number of trucks he thought he would actually host, he said "Possibly 6."
The commission approved the SUP with conditions intended to address neighbors' concerns, including limits on the number of trucks and operating hours so the park would operate primarily during daytime/business hours rather than late-night weekend hours. The record shows the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The SUP creates a new location for mobile-food vendors in Harlingen and aims to balance small-business opportunities with neighborhood livability. Commissioners and staff said the SUP process allows the city to set conditions tailored to the site.
Ending: The applicant and staff will finalize the SUP conditions and any administrative permit details with city planning and public-safety staff before the park opens.
