Tetonia tables food-truck code amendment; work session set to gather more information

The Tetonia City Council discussed a proposed code amendment to regulate food trucks and food-truck courts but elected to table the item for more information. Contract Planner Ashley Koehler’s staff memo and prior March discussion framed the debate over whether to require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or to allow design review for stationary food-truck operations. Councilmember Aaron Hansen cited his preference to avoid broadly spreading food courts across multiple zoning districts, while Councilmember Blaine Ball said he favored requiring water and sewer infrastructure to mitigate infrastructure and health risks.

Council considered practical constraints for water hookups: Contract Engineer Merril Quayle told members the longest he has observed a stationary food truck remain in one location was about three summer months, and city staff warned that filling water from the Pocket Park spigot lacks backflow prevention, meters and adequate pressure, rendering that source inappropriate for potable use. Applicant Amy Ortiz described the challenge of starting a brick-and-mortar food business and said she would like to begin as a food truck and work toward a permanent location, but Mayor Brent Schindler said neither the city nor the applicant was ready to finalize a decision at the meeting.

Councilmember Kody Hill moved to table the code amendment to allow staff to gather further information; Councilmember Aaron Hansen seconded and the motion carried. The council set a follow-up work session for April 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.