Commission debates mobile food vending rules, leans toward limiting by right use in rural zones

The Page County Planning Commission spent the bulk of its meeting debating proposed supplemental regulations for mobile food vending operations, including whether to allow food trucks broadly in agricultural and woodland conservation zones or to limit them as an accessory use tied to existing commercial operations.

Citizen Chris Anderson opened public comment in favor of food trucks, saying “I just wanted to say love the idea of food trucks” and urging measures to support local agriculture and avoid visual proliferation. Staff then walked the commission through the draft definitions and operational rules for mobile food vending operations and associated catering facilities.

Major points of debate

- Alcohol: Commissioners questioned whether to list nonalcoholic beverages only or permit alcohol if the vendor holds the required ABC license. The committee noted festival permits and state licensing overlap with zoning and expressed enforcement concerns.

- Accessory use vs. by-right: A key policy divide was whether to allow mobile vendors by right on any AG or woodland parcel or to restrict them as accessory uses to permitted commercial activities (breweries, event venues, distilleries, farmers markets, campgrounds). Several commissioners warned that by-right allowance could encourage food trucks to set up in undeveloped fields along major arteries, creating traffic hazards; others said food trucks typically go where customers already are and recommended targeted limitations instead of a blanket ban.

- Safety, setbacks and service areas: Staff proposed minimum setbacks (15 feet from hydrants/driveway/handicap parking; a 20-foot setback between service/safety areas and parking/access lanes) and a safety/service-area concept for seating and service lines. Commissioners asked whether to define maximum picnic tables or service area size; options discussed included setting a table maximum (e.g., six) or requiring the service area to be shown on a zoning-clearance sketch. Enforcement and practical operation—storage vs operational rules—were also raised.

- Operational limits: The draft includes limits such as a maximum of three consecutive days on the same property, sign rules (up to two temporary signs, not to exceed 4 feet), distance rules (no closer than 50 feet to a restaurant entrance without permission, and 100 feet to a dwelling unless the owner consents), and permit revocation for violations.

Outcome and next steps

Commissioners did not take a final vote on the mobile vending regulations during this meeting. Commissioners generally signaled a preference for allowing mobile food vending as an accessory use to permitted commercial activities—while explicitly excluding short-term rentals from authorization—so long as the list of permitted activities and enforcement approach are clarified. Staff was asked to clean the draft, incorporate the subcommittee’s edits, and forward the revised draft to the county attorney for review. The zoning subcommittee will continue its work and return the draft for further commission consideration.

The commission closed the agenda after receiving subcommittee reports and other administrative items; staff noted several rezoning and SUP applications forthcoming and that Cook Realty, LLC had withdrawn its application.