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Resident asks township for permission to operate weekend hot‑dog stand on private lot
Summary
Anthony Sabella, a retired veteran who operates a weekend hot‑dog stand on private property, told supervisors he was flagged by code enforcement and asked for permission or a permit; staff said the current zoning ordinance does not permit a regular food‑vendor use on a commercial parking lot unless the tenant sponsors the activity or ordinance is amended.
During public comment, resident Anthony Sabella said he operates a weekend hot‑dog stand in a furniture‑store parking lot and sought township permission after being told enforcement flagged the activity.
"I just want permission to set up on their property," Sabella said, adding he holds a state food license and had owner permission to operate. Township staff and the solicitor explained that the zoning ordinance does not currently permit a daily or recurring food‑vendor use in a commercial parking lot unless the activity is an auxiliary function of the tenant’s business (for example, Christmas tree sales tied to a retailer’s existing product lines) or the tenant sponsors the vendor and follows special‑event or permitting procedures.
Staff said the township does offer a special‑events permit but that the vendor’s described weekend, ongoing activity did not meet the permit’s definition; supervisors suggested options including sponsorship by the property tenant, seeking a narrowly tailored text amendment, or waiting for changes in the draft zoning ordinance that address food‑truck and vendor uses.
No formal action was taken; the board directed the resident to work with staff and the property owner to pursue sponsorship or review alternative permitting paths.
