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Residents raise safety concerns about food truck; council schedules workshop to discuss options
Summary
Residents told the council the location of a food truck off US-31 is creating a safety and parking problem; council members agreed to seek solutions and scheduled a workshop to explore options and permitting changes.
Multiple residents raised safety and business concerns about a mobile food vendor parked along US-31 adjacent to private property and public parking. Rhonda (recorded as Ronna/Rhonda Botee in the transcript) and other commenters said the truck often blocks customer parking and forces awkward vehicle maneuvers.
Rhonda Botee said the truck has parked where it impedes visibility and customer parking for nearby businesses; she suggested moving the operation to town-owned parking lots that are underused. Town staff explained current licensing and ordinances allow mobile vendors in public spaces but prohibit hooking into town utilities unless invited for town events; the ordinance prohibits vendors from using town utility hookups without permission.
Officials said the vendor paid to install an electrical connection on the side of a private building, which complicates relocation, but staff agreed to attempt a pragmatic solution. Council scheduled a workshop (noted in the meeting as a "20 eighth" workshop at 5:00 p.m., according to the transcript) to discuss options and asked staff to meet with the property owner and vendor to explore moving the electrical connection and better siting to resolve the neighbor’s parking concerns. The council also said it will consider permitting changes that would allow food trucks on public parking where safety and access can be assured.
Why it matters: The dispute touches business operations, public parking, pedestrian safety and enforcement of local vendor rules. Residents urged a practical fix — relocation to town-owned parking or better siting — to avoid traffic conflicts and safety risks.
Next steps: Town staff to speak with the property owner and vendor about relocating utilities and potential alternative sites; council will hold the scheduled workshop to discuss ordinance adjustments and siting solutions.
