Mount Airy planning commission opens discussion on food-truck rules, asks staff to draft regulations for council

The Town of Mount Airy Planning Commission discussed potential food-truck regulations at its April meeting, focusing on safety, location restrictions, coordination with health and fire authorities, and whether a temporary/seasonal zoning permit would be appropriate.

Town Planner John said there is currently little or no language in Mount Airy’s code to guide non-event food-truck operations on public or private property. Commissioners and attendees raised safety issues—propane tanks, generators, electrical hookups, grease and wastewater disposal—and logistical concerns including whether food trucks should be allowed to operate on private parking lots without limits and how that could affect nearby brick-and-mortar businesses.

Council Member Stephen DeMoto said he supports a scalable, expedited review for small businesses and suggested the town could run a trial of the procedure to learn lessons before codifying it. Commissioner Brian (surname not specified in transcript) and others suggested a seasonal or temporary zoning permit approach; Tom, the town attorney, recommended formalizing requirements in code to reduce ambiguity.

Commissioners discussed examples from other jurisdictions: Port Deposit’s temporary/seasonal zoning permit and Washington, D.C.’s mobile-site permits, which authorize a vehicle to operate at legal parking spaces. Several commissioners emphasized that health-department licensing and inspection remain the primary means to regulate food safety, but local zoning or permitting could control location, duration, and public-safety adjacency (clearances from buildings and hydrants).

Commissioners generally supported developing draft regulations that balance safety and minimal burden on small businesses. Staff was asked to draft recommended language and, if necessary, propose a permit structure (seasonal/temporary or other) for Town Council consideration.