Food-truck applicants seek temporary permits after city pauses approvals

Damon Stevens, owner of Better Meat Burgers, told the council he applied for a food-truck permit under the existing rules, paid fees and invested roughly $2,400 in startup expenses and compliance inspections. He said the city paused food-truck permits while a new ordinance is being considered and asked council to adopt a temporary solution for applicants who applied before the pause.

“I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m simply asking for a fair opportunity to move forward under the application I submitted or for a temporary permit until the new ordinance comes into play,” Stevens said. He listed inspection and preparation costs (Wayne County health inspection $155; Gallagher fire inspection ~$800; plumbing work ~$300; equipment and supplies about $580; backflow preventer $100) and said his business cannot open while his application is frozen.

Councilmembers expressed surprise that a pause had been implemented without broader notice to council and asked the chair and administration to follow up. Councilwoman Andrea Rykowski asked the chair to provide more information and encouraged the applicant to remain after the meeting for a follow-up conversation.

What’s next: Council members pledged to stay after the meeting to gather details and asked the administration to provide the council with information about the permit pause and whether a temporary-permit pathway can be used for applicants who submitted under prior rules.