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Council to rework mobile vendor ordinance after early registration issues
Summary
Following registration glitches after passage of a new mobile vendor ordinance, council discussed removing the rules from the zoning code for annual BZA review, adjusting fee structure and safety requirements, and asked staff to refine the proposal.
Council discussed early implementation issues and next steps for a mobile vendor ordinance that was recently added to the zoning code. Staff said registration is open and that the town is not charging fees in the initial rollout.
Councilors debated whether to pull vendor rules out of the zoning code and instead address portable nonresidential structures and vendor activity via a one-year BZA review process. Members emphasized public-safety measures — cord covers and police oversight for food trucks — and discussed fee alternatives such as a capped annual fee rather than per-event charges that could deter small operators.
One council member said the goal was to adopt reasonable guardrails rather than generate revenue: "I have no desire to make money off of the vendor ordinance. My desire is only to have guardrails to limit ... proliferation," the member said. Staff will return with a revised draft reflecting adjustments to fee structure, safety wording and administrative processes.
No final ordinance changes were made at the meeting; council asked staff to develop a revised draft for future review and stakeholder outreach with mobile vendors.
