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Clifton council discusses food‑truck event; mayor says special permits required and "now is not a good time" amid pandemic
Summary
Local restaurant owner urged caution over a proposed Taco Food Truck event, saying restaurants are struggling; the council said food trucks would need to be on private property with a Special Use Permit and opted not to encourage gatherings while COVID‑19 risks remain.
The Clifton Town Council discussed a proposal to allow a Taco Food Truck event in town during its Jan. 5, 2021 meeting, with local business owners and councilmembers expressing concern about the timing during the pandemic.
Sean McNamara, proprietor of the Main Street Pub, told the council that "restaurants and other small business are having a really hard time right now," and said he opposed food trucks because they could further strain existing restaurants. Donna Netschert, identified as being from Chestnut Street, said she originally proposed discussing a food truck to help commerce but did not want to undermine brick‑and‑mortar restaurants.
Councilmembers noted that existing Town Code and county rules govern temporary mobile food vendors. Kathy Kalinowski noted additional county and Virginia Department of Transportation considerations. Mayor William Hollaway said a food truck would have to operate on private property and obtain a Special Use Permit, and he emphasized public‑health concerns, saying "now is not a good time." Councilmember Darrell Poe added that council members did not want to encourage gatherings until pandemic dangers have passed. Councilmember Lynn Screen emphasized focusing support on existing businesses in town.
No regulatory change or permit was adopted at the meeting; the council discussed procedural constraints (Town Code, VDOT access) and pandemic risks and left any formal permitting or event approvals to follow the town’s normal Special Use Permit process and the Planning/ARB reviews required for temporary commercial operations.
The discussion made clear the council's preference to protect established restaurants and to rely on existing permitting rules; if proponents seek to proceed, they must follow the Special Use Permit process and county/state requirements.
