Clermont planning commission recommends approval of Crab Cakes food-trailer CUP with lighting and operating-day conditions

The City of Clermont Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval on Jan. 6 of a conditional use permit for Crab Cakes on the Lake, a takeout-only food trailer proposed on a 0.34-acre C‑1 parcel at the northeast corner of Lake Avenue and State Road 50.

City planning staff presented the application (CUP 2026001 R), saying the applicant seeks permission for a single food trailer and a waiver to reduce the landscape buffer along State Road 50 from the standard 20 feet to a 10-foot landscaped buffer supplemented by an existing berm. Staff concluded the reduced buffer and berm would meet the intent of the Land Development Code and recommended approval subject to the conditions listed in Resolution 2026-001 R.

Engineer Christopher Germana and operator Toxie Roan told commissioners the trailer is removable, uses onboard freshwater and wastewater tanks and a generator, and will be staffed and removed from the site after each operating day. Germana said the applicant requested an operational flexibility change to allow the trailer on site up to four days per week (applicant package initially requested three days per week). The project concept calls for stabilized-grass parking, a concrete sidewalk to State Road 50, and a stormwater control area sized as a placeholder pending geotechnical data.

Commissioners raised questions about impact fees, commissary registration, lighting, parking, site grading, ADA access, the depth and safety of the proposed retention pond, signage visibility on SR 50 and how trip-generation was evaluated. City staff (John Crews) explained that impact fees for water and sewer typically attach when a building permit is pulled and that because the trailer is self-contained and does not require water or sewer hookups the standard water/sewer impact fees likely would not apply at this stage. Staff said each parcel along Highway 50 would be evaluated independently and that the Lake‑Sumter MPO defines this project as de minimis for traffic (net weekday peak-hour trips below the MPO threshold). Staff also said detailed site-plan submittals will include grading, a photometric lighting plan if needed, auto-turn templates to confirm truck/trailer maneuverability and final stormwater sizing to meet St. Johns River Water Management District and city requirements.

Operator Toxie Roan said, “We are a self sufficient food trailer with the regulatory sinks. We have a fresh and wastewater tank and we have our own electrical supply.” She confirmed the trailer would be removed nightly and that any on-site trash or a temporary receptacle would be removed each evening.

After extended discussion the commission approved a motion to recommend Resolution 2026001 R to city council with two explicit additions: (1) allow the applicant’s requested change from three to four operating days, and (2) require photometric/site lighting if hours extend after dusk so that any evening operation meets established safety and lighting standards. The motion was made by Commissioner Kramer and seconded; the record shows the recommendation passed with three commissioners opposed. The commission’s action is a recommendation to city council; final approval and any permit conditions will be set by council and during subsequent site-plan review.

Next steps: If city council approves the resolution, the applicant must complete the city’s site-plan process and submit detailed engineering (grading, stormwater, photometric plans and auto-turn analysis) before physical improvements are permitted or constructed.

(Reporting note: details and direct quotes in this article are drawn from the Jan. 6, 2026 Planning & Zoning Commission transcript and statements by city staff and the applicant.)