Planning staff preview draft mobile food unit ordinance; EDA gives guidance on signage, parking and clusters

Planning staff briefed the EDA on a draft mobile food unit ordinance and solicited feedback on definitions, allowable zones, signage, noise, generator use, storage and cluster rules.

Staff said the draft would treat mobile food units as a use similar to restaurants in selected districts, reference Virginia Department of Health and county fire rules, and allow clusters (food-truck courts) of up to five units in appropriate commercial or mixed-use areas. The draft recommends standard framed signage near units but discourages feather flags and other motion signage in the county right-of-way. Staff also flagged the need to specify whether units may remain on private property between service days and whether temporary furniture may be used without creating a permanent restaurant-like presence.

Members supported flexibility for private-property operations with property-owner permission but cautioned against permitting permanent structures or fixtures that would create a de facto restaurant without health-department review. They recommended that staff require a permit, notify public safety and zoning enforcement, and include clear rules about blocking sidewalks or the public right-of-way.

Staff will revise the ordinance language to reflect member feedback, provide the draft to the Virginia Department of Health for review before the April meeting, and then proceed through the public process (planning commission and board of supervisors) if the EDA recommends adoption.