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Kissimmee commissioners uphold food‑truck permit for 90 days after debate over moratorium
Summary
After hours of discussion and public comment from the applicant and affected families, the Kissimmee City Commission voted to uphold the Development Review Committee’s approval of a conditional‑use permit for food trucks at 1985 South John Young Parkway for 90 days; the DRC will re‑review the permit on 04/07/2026. The vote was 3–1 with one abstention.
The Kissimmee City Commission voted to uphold the Development Review Committee’s decision to allow food‑truck operations at 1985 South John Young Parkway for a 90‑day monitoring period, a move that preserves the applicant’s renewal while the city refines rules governing food‑truck special events.
Mayor (presiding) moved to uphold the DRC decision and keep the permit in effect for 90 days; Vice Mayor Angela Eady seconded. Commissioner Ortiz voted no; Commissioner Martinez recused/abstained, and the motion carried with three ayes. City staff clarified that the DRC’s conditional approval includes a further 90‑day review and that, if concerns emerge, staff or the city manager can appeal back to the commission.
Applicant Lisandra Romano, owner of Le Chonere / El Hibarito, told the commission she followed the city’s application process, paid required fees and obtained plans and approvals. "This is not an impairment. This is a renewal of an existing permit," Romano said, arguing the commission’s moratorium on new food‑truck permits was not intended to cancel properly filed renewals. Romano urged the commission to avoid placing the city in the position of both complainant and decision maker when the city manager appeals DRC approvals.
Celia Burgos, whose family operates a truck at the site, said there are no violations and described the potential impact on a young family who has invested savings in the business: "We followed every rule and every requirement … Please do not take away this permit." Several commissioners expressed concern about timing and public‑safety issues raised by prior incidents at other sites and asked staff to tighten conditions where needed. The city manager recommended allowing the permit for another 90 days given the operator’s compliance to date and continuing to monitor the location.
By approving the up‑to‑90‑day continuation, the commission left the matter under the DRC’s review cycle, with the item scheduled to return to the DRC on 04/07/2026 unless renewed or otherwise acted upon. The commission also directed staff to refine code language on how conditional uses and special‑event approvals for food trucks are handled going forward.
