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Kissimmee commissioners keep conditional‑use pathway for extended food‑truck events after public concerns
Summary
After public comments from nearby business owners and residents about enforcement, safety and fairness, the Kissimmee City Commission voted to retain the conditional‑use option in section 14‑6‑28(b) that can allow food trucks at extended special events and left the existing moratorium in place until staff finalizes an ordinance, the commission said.
The Kissimmee City Commission voted in a workshop to keep the city’s existing conditional‑use pathway for extended special‑event food‑truck operations, rejecting a change that would have removed the section of code under the commission’s moratorium.
City staff opened the discussion by explaining that city code currently allows food trucks in four ways: short special‑event permits (20 days for single‑tenant sites, 30 days for multi‑tenant sites), conditional‑use approvals that can extend those days under §14‑6‑28(b) (the section singled out by the moratorium), plan‑development/PUD special‑event areas approved through site plan review, and city‑produced or city‑partnered events. Staff said the moratorium, enacted in September 2025, paused new approvals under §14‑6‑28(b) while the commission decided whether to revise the language.
The workshop drew public comment from business owners and residents who urged different outcomes. Stella Sarah Kusa, a longtime brick‑and‑mortar business owner, told commissioners that “there’s no enforcement” against persistently noncompliant trucks near Carol Street and Old Dixie, and warned that restaurant owners who paid rent, impact fees and other costs are being undercut. “I believe in business for all,” she said, “but brick‑and‑mortar businesses such as mine are being affected.”
Jeremy Fetzer urged uniform application of land‑development rules under Florida Statute chapter 163 and argued a recent conditional‑use approval created effectively a food‑truck park without the time and fees associated with a PUD. “If a food truck park should go through the PUD zoning process,” Fetzer said, “the conditional‑use permit that’s in limbo now should be revoked.”
Lisonbee Roman, the permit holder at 1985 South Junction Parkway, said she followed the city’s application process and waited seven months for approval. Roman said her permit includes conditions limiting hours and operations and that the site currently has only one truck. “I did go through the right process,” she said.
Commissioners debated fairness to existing brick‑and‑mortar businesses, resident safety and whether staff had adequate enforcement tools. City staff noted state law preempts bans on food trucks operated by restaurant owners and that the city’s review and site‑plan processes control parking, hours and other conditions. Staff also reminded the commission that legally established PUD approvals such as Mill Creek Mall’s cannot be retroactively revoked under state law.
Commissioner Martinez moved to retain the highlighted language in §14‑6‑28(b); Vice Mayor Eady seconded and the motion carried. The transcript records the motion, second and that the motion “carries,” but does not list a full roll‑call breakdown of yes and no votes.
After the vote the mayor emphasized the commission’s intent to keep an open, transparent process and welcomed participation from business owners and residents as the city continues any follow‑up review or 90‑day permit checks. The outcome preserves the conditional‑use pathway for extended special‑event food‑truck operations while leaving other regulatory and enforcement tools in place and signaling the commission will continue oversight of specific permits.
The next procedural step, staff said, would be to prepare any ordinance changes identified by the commission for two formal readings before the commission, at which point the moratorium could be lifted or adjusted based on adopted language.
