Commission adopts 20-foot rule to keep food vendors away from restaurants at special events

The City Commission voted to add a restriction to the city's special event policy that will prevent food vendors from being placed within 20 feet of a restaurant entrance or service window during permitted events.

Jackie Ernie, superintendent at the Department of Public Works, said staff drafted the language following a Legislative Policy Committee review and conversations with downtown restaurants and event organizers. Ernie said the 20-foot measure is intended to create a clear baseline that can be applied across changing downtown footprints and to avoid ad hoc conflicts where a vendor occupies a service window area. "There are still ample areas where food vendors could be placed with this type of language," Ernie said.

Commissioners voiced differing perspectives. Commissioner Keener, who also operates a food truck, said he was "in the middle" on the policy because food trucks rely on events for revenue but brick-and-mortar restaurants understandably want protection for their entrances. Commissioner Gorman said the change should make events and brick-and-mortar businesses more likely to coexist and called the policy a practical compromise.

Vice Mayor St. Clair asked how vendor placement is determined; staff said event organizers submit a site map that the city reviews and approves as part of the special event application process. The policy applies only to vendors located as part of permitted city events; separate rules govern food vendors operating outside special events.

The motion to adopt the amendment was made by Commissioner Cochin and supported by Commissioner Gorman; roll call showed unanimous approval among voting commissioners.