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Planning board approves West King Street food-truck setback variance
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Board approved a variance letting a mobile food truck remain at 213 W. King St. without the usual right-of-way setback, citing an identical prior approval and no recent code complaints; neighbors raised parking and code-compliance concerns.
The Planning & Zoning Board voted to approve a variance request on Dec. 1 for a mobile food vending vehicle to operate at 213 West King Street without the city’s standard right-of-way setback.
The applicants, Amy Tarmie and Gaston Buscchiazzo, told the board they bought the truck that previously operated at the site and that it has been parked there in the same configuration since the purchase. “Having been in business on West King Street now for almost five years, we feel we are uniquely attuned to the needs of the West King business and residential communities,” Tarmie said, adding that an evening food truck would “greatly benefit the surrounding community and existing businesses.” She cited an identical approval granted in February 2025 for the same truck and location.
Residents who spoke at the hearing offered mixed views. Supporters said the truck would fill a dinner-time gap on West King. “This food truck … will benefit all the businesses on the West Side as well as all of our patrons,” said Zach Ramsey, manager at Muggsy’s, who described steps the operator has taken to limit safety and traffic impacts, including a painted wheel-stop and repositioning the truck further off the pavement.
Opponents urged the board to enforce setbacks and to require clearer parking arrangements. A nearby resident said prior operators “didn’t follow the rules” and warned that allowing the truck to occupy the right of way would invite other encroachments. The board and staff clarified that the variance concerns the right-of-way setback only; parking management remains a separate issue.
Staff recommended approval under the city’s variance provisions after reviewing section 28-29 of the code. Board members noted the site has had a prior, similar approval and reported no recent complaints; the board approved the variance on a roll call vote.
The decision permits the truck to continue operating at 213 W. King Street subject to the same conditions that applied in the earlier approval. If the operator moves the vehicle or the conditions change, the board may require reapplication or additional conditions at a future hearing.
