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Food truck owner asks for case-by-case signage flexibility; festival organizer and downtown businesses raise vendor licensing concerns
Summary
A new gluten-free food truck operator requested temporary relief from Petoskey signage rules to direct customers; festival and downtown vendors also raised licensing, fees and background-check barriers for small vendors at local events.
Alexander Petock, chef and owner of Petock Corner Experiences, told the Planning Commission during public comment that his food truck received a city violation for signage after two days of operation and asked the city to consider a case-by-case approach to temporary signage for mobile food vendors.
“I built the food truck with the intention of serving those who have celiac and gluten intolerance,” Petock said. He said his operation is nationally gluten-free certified and that customers who previously could not eat out had traveled to his truck; he asked to be allowed a small, tasteful sign indicating “gluten-free” so people passing by would know the service exists.
Petock said he corrected flashing lights and removed an igloo-style canopy identified in the notice; he acknowledged that an A-frame sandwich board placed on the sidewalk violated the B-3 district rules and said he preferred to mount signage on his trailer in a way that met code.
Janine Cornstuck, director of the Waters Life Festival, asked about business licensing and vendor requirements while speaking online. She said the festival is mostly grant-funded and free to attendees and that small artisans and nonprofits struggle with a $1,000 deposit, notarization questions and fingerprinting/background-check requirements on the city’s vendor application.
Local business owner Sean, who owns Grove Beverage Cafe, said brick-and-mortar businesses also have problems with sign rules and enforcement, and raised concerns about parity between restaurants and food trucks when it comes to outdoor seating and occupancy. “Our outdoor seating is dictated by state occupancy limits,” he said; “as a brick-and-mortar, my outdoor seating counts against indoor occupancy, but food trucks face different constraints.”
City staff advised that temporary signage options exist under the zoning rules (temporary signs allowed for 17 days within a 120-day period) and suggested cosmetic options that would not require sidewalk placement, such as vinyl clings or tasteful trailer-mounted lettering. A staff member noted sandwich board signs are not allowed in the B-3 district and that signs mounted to private property or attached to the truck itself would typically be allowable.
Petock said he will work with the zoning administrator on compliant, tasteful trailer-mounted signage. Festival organizers were directed to the city clerk (Sarah Beck) for licensing questions; staff said zoning does not manage event vendor deposits or background-check rules.
No formal action was taken; commissioners and staff encouraged the operator and festival organizers to work directly with zoning and the city clerk to identify compliant, low-cost options for temporary notification of food-truck and vendor offerings.
