Council approves fireworks and street closure but denies food-truck exception for Tanglewood event

The Fulton City Council on a voice vote approved a fireworks display and street closure for the Tanglewood Independence Day event but failed to authorize food-truck operations after a tied roll call.

Councilwoman Railton urged caution about allowing food trucks in residential neighborhoods, saying, “I—m fearful that if we approve a food truck in the city, in a residential neighborhood, that that would set a precedent for it to happen any place in a residential neighborhood.” Staff and other councilmembers said the council has the authority to approve exceptions to a recent ordinance restricting food sales in residential zones.

Council then split the event into components. A motion to authorize the fireworks and the street closure was made, read onto the record and carried on a voice vote. A later motion specifically to approve the food-truck portion was put to a roll call; the tally resulted in a 3–3 tie and the clerk announced, “Motion fails. We were unable to secure 5 affirmative votes, so that portion of the request will be denied.”

Because the council recently approved an ordinance limiting food trucks in residential areas, several members said granting an exception now could create an expectation of future exceptions. Other members argued the event is a onetime community celebration and that prior exceptions (in parks and other public events) suggested flexibility.

The council did not adopt any new policy language at the meeting; the food-truck request remains denied for this event. The fireworks and street-closure approvals stand as adopted.