Politics & Government
How Should The City Revise Its Food Truck Law?
The city is in talks with the SoCal Mobile Food Vendors Association to create a food truck law that falls in line with state law. This means the ban will be lifted but regulations will be created. Thoughts?
Should food trucks be allowed to park in town?
California Vehicle Code says yes, and South Pas will soon be in compliance after a related lawsuit, according to officials.
South Pasadena City Council passed a motion in November 2011 stating food trucks will no longer be cited for selling food out of a parked vehicle, yet the ban was never officially lifted from its municipal code.
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Why hasn't it been changed? City Manager Sergio Gonzalez says: "There has [been] a tremendous drop in the number of food trucks [since November 2011]. But recent acts have brought it back to the front burner."
The SoCal Mobile Food Vendor's Association filed a lawsuit against South Pasadena in August noting that the city's law is contradictory to state law.
Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"South Pas has a ban. They've known it's been illegal since at least last year, yet they still have on their books," said attorney Kevin Behrendt, representing the food truck coalition.
Behrendt's firm has been in talks with the city and hopes that they can reach a comprehensive regulatory scheme to replace the ban. This may include any regulation related to public safetey—but not compensation or aesthestics—he says.
Gonzalez told Patch a working group comprised of South Pas Chamber of Commerce members, local business owners and city staff has already been created and are responsible for building reasonable guidelines and regulations suitable to both food trucks vendors and local restaurant owners.
The two parties coexisting is a "careful balance," notes Gonzalez.
Chamber of Commerce President Scott Feldmann has long argued that food trucks should be allowed on a limited basis only for events and fundraisers.
The issue will be brought forth at the City Council meeting October 17 where city staff will recommend that the ban be rescinded.
Patch Asks: What do you think? What public safety requirements should be included in the city's new food truck law? Should the vendors be allowed to park near schools? Parks? Let us know in comments below!
