Planning commission issues unfavorable recommendation on proposed mobile food‑unit ordinance after broad concerns

The Mount Airy Planning Commission voted to issue an unfavorable recommendation to the Town Council on a revised draft mobile food‑unit ordinance (Ordinance 2026‑22) after an extended discussion that produced dozens of detailed edits and clarifying questions.

Town attorney Tom and planning staff introduced the revision, which sought to simplify earlier, more complex drafts and to address recurring issues with popup vendors and special events. Commissioners raised many problems in the draft, including inconsistent definitions for recurring/seasonal/permanent vendors, unclear wording about whether utility connections may include temporary hoses or extension cords, and an insurance requirement that would add the town as an additional insured (potentially costly for vendors).

Commissioners also questioned a grandfathering clause's scope, spacing and buffers from residential uses (draft used a 100‑foot standard), how the ordinance treats private events on private property, and whether the town has staffing capacity to enforce the proposed permitting and inspection regime. Several commissioners urged simplifying the ordinance and removing provisions that allocate a portion of permit fees to external organizations, arguing fees should go to town coffers via normal budget processes.

After the discussion, the commission voted to recommend the council not adopt the draft in its current form and asked staff and the attorney to produce a memo summarizing the commission's concerns for council consideration. "We captured 40‑plus comments here," one commissioner said during the exchange; the motion for an unfavorable recommendation passed on a voice vote.

Next steps: staff will convey the planning commission's concerns to the Town Council ahead of the council's public hearing on the ordinance and may submit a memo listing the commission's suggested clarifications and deletions.