Follow-Up: City Addresses Food Truck Ordinance

Some see food trucks as a nuisance; others view them as an opportunity for the community to enjoy cuisines they'd otherwise miss. 

But the future of food trucks in South Pasadena is uncertain.

Chief Joseph Payne has diligently enforced city ordinance 19.49, which states "no person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of selling therefrom or therein any article, service or thing" and says that until the ordinance specifically exempts the trucks from being cited in commercial areas, he will continue to hand out citations.

“I may not object to amending the ordinance as long as it does not create traffic problems elsewhere,” he said via email July 20. “Considerable public input will be sought before any changes are considered.”     

Chief Payne said he doesn't foresee the item being placed on City Council's agenda anytime soon—in order for the item to be placed on the agenda, it would have to be requested by one Council Member and seconded by another.

But Mayor Mike Ten thinks food trucks are a problem in town and said he is open to discussion. 

Ten said that he would consider voting in favor of changing the ordinance "only to clarify who the current law applies to or locations where operation will be prohibited."

THE BACKSTORY

After on July 6, reader comments reflected a divided opinion.

The ever-popular Dumpling Station saw booming business at in July.

But the Dumpling Station has been cited on a number of occasions and continues to be cited along with other trucks whenever complaints are received or violations are noticed, according to Chief Payne. 

While they all have business licenses—which are issued by South Pasadena’s Finance Department—food trucks continue to be cited because selling items or services from a parked vehicle is against local law.

“Parking on private property or parking on the street to satisfy a contractual agreement with a person or persons may be permitted,” Payne explained. “Examples include a food truck servicing a construction site by agreement or a private party in a park. Vending to casual passersby does not fit this exception.”

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

“Maybe on certain days or special occasions like Concerts in the Park, I think it’s a great time to have some variety and options as far as food goes,” said Margot Mesias, who sampled the Dumpling Station truck along with her niece and nephew for the first time in July. “It’s really convenient, it’s good, and as long as people pick up their trash, it’s nice.”

Resident Edgar Moreno also enjoys the idea of the trucks and sees them as an opportunity for culinary exposure.

“It’s kind of like a new kind of culture,” he said. “It brings a new kind of urban style of street food. And it’s cleaner, it’s not like the taco stands in the streets. It brings a mixture of nationalities and flavors.”

Zhenya Bear, who is new to the city, says the trucks don't bother her personally, but added that the city has the right to put any restraints on food trucks it desires.

“If the city doesn’t want it, then I think it should not be here,” she said.

Resident Chris Colburn thinks the ordinance is discriminatory and says, if enforced, it should apply to all mobile businesses.