Council approves restriction on open‑flame food trucks near fuel pumps after hours of debate

Jacksonville City Council on the meeting day approved ordinance 20‑25‑159, which prohibits the use of open‑flame cooking equipment by mobile food vendors within 300 feet of fuel dispensers and sets a $250‑per‑day civil penalty for violations.

Council members debated the measure for more than an hour, weighing a fire‑safety recommendation from the fire chief against appeals from food‑truck operators and small‑business advocates. Supporters said the rule is a preventive safety measure; opponents said it would harm entrepreneurship and local vendors who use gas‑station locations as regular points of business.

The ordinance passed after debate by recorded vote, 12‑7. A motion to postpone the measure failed earlier, 7‑12. Council members also adopted related amendments that defined the prohibited activity as "open‑flame" cooking and tied the safety distance to guidance cited by fire officials.

Chief Keith Powers of Jacksonville Fire Rescue told the council the restriction followed national emergency guidance. "This is a low‑frequency, high‑risk type of event," Powers said, adding the department relied on the Emergency Response Guide and NFPA…