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Commission hears first draft to permit food trucks, seeks more outreach
Summary
Staff presented a proposed land-development-code change that would allow temporary food-truck operations in specified commercial zones and establish standards for permanent food-truck parks; commissioners asked staff to refine hours and setback rules and to hold more stakeholder outreach before adoption.
County staff introduced a proposed amendment to the St. Johns County Land Development Code to clarify rules for food trucks and to allow permanent food-truck parks in certain commercial zoning districts.
The draft sets two tracks: (1) a clarification that individual food trucks may operate as a temporary use in specified commercial districts under existing temporary-use rules, and (2) a new set of development standards for permanent food-truck parks, covering hours of operation, setbacks from residences, parking and utility requirements, surface and weight-bearing standards, and site layout.
Staff proposed 8 a.m.–8 p.m. as baseline hours for food-truck parks and suggested a 100-foot separation from residential structures; food-truck supporters urged later weekend hours and smaller residential setbacks and cautioned that food trucks are regulated by state health authorities. Several food-truck operators and owners of existing local truck parks urged a stakeholder town-hall and pushed back on a proposed 3-day limit that applies to temporary events; staff clarified that the 3-day limit relates to temporary, non-park events whereas permanent food-truck parks would be a distinct, permitted use subject to utility and site standards.
The commission granted staff consensus to waive the 5 p.m. starting requirement for the code-adoption hearing on Sept. 15 and asked staff to continue outreach with operators and neighborhoods before finalization.
Next steps: staff will refine draft language on hours, setbacks and temporary-use limits and return to Planning and Zoning and the board for a final adoption vote in September.
