Councilman introduces zoning proposal to bar food trucks from gas station property over fire-safety concerns

Councilman Carlucci introduced a proposed change to the city’s zoning code to bar mobile food vehicles from operating on gas station property, saying the proposal is narrowly aimed at addressing fire-safety risks around fuel pumps.

Carlucci said the purpose of the proposal is limited. “It’s if you have a food truck, a food stand, or whatever, you you can't set it up at a gas station because it's a fire hazard,” Councilman Carlucci said during a public meeting before a scheduled land use and zoning session. He said state law preempts the city from broadly regulating food trucks and that the city’s only clear path to restrict locations is through zoning.

The issue matters locally because the proposal would shift enforcement onto property owners while affecting where many small operators park and sell. The discussion brought together city fire-prevention staff, the Office of General Counsel, Consumer Affairs and several independent food-truck operators who warned the restriction could harm small businesses and some residents’ access to affordable food.

Mary Stifopoulos of the Office of General Counsel told the council the city can use zoning to limit uses on private…