Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2020 05 14

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SUMMARY: Over the past few years, the City has reviewed and adopted regulations associated with operation of mobile food vehicles, mobile retail food establishments, mobile vending carts and ice cream vendors (collectively referred to as food trucks). To date, these regulations have not included specific allowances for food truck courts. Food truck courts may be possible under the existing regulations, but each operator would need to apply for a separate permit, operators would need the consent of nearby restaurants on an annual basis, and the regulations do not account for different impacts associated with operating in a more permanent nature. Recently, an application for a Planned Unit Development and Special Review Use was submitted requesting approval of a development that includes a food truck court. Staff is seeking input from Planning Commission regarding general food truck court regulations that could be appropriate throughout the entire City, and not specifically to the application under review. BACKGROUND: In 2014 and 2015, the City adopted ordinances establishing allowances and regulations for food trucks. In 2017, these regulations were amended based on experience with actual operations and to streamline permitting requirements. To date, staff finds that these new regulations are working well and do not propose changes to that portion of the 2017 ordinance at this time. These regulations are found in Sec. 17.16.310 of the Louisville Municipal Code. DISCUSSION: Staff has attached an initial draft ordinance for discussion. The draft ordinance is not intended as a final draft for recommendation to City Council, but is provided for Commission comment and direction. A final draft will be brought back for public hearing and formal recommendation to City Council. The draft ordinance would allow a site with more than two food trucks to operate in a permanent nature, establishes zone districts where this use is permitted by Special Review Use, and creates application requirements and review criteria. This new section would not apply to food trucks operating as part of a city-permitted special event or a private catered event, even if there is more than one food truck operating at the site. There are a few barriers in the existing code to operating mobile food courts. The first is the requirement that each operator obtain permission from existing restaurant operators within 150 feet. This could be waived for any operator located within an existing ITEM: Mobile Food Court Discussion PLANNER: Lisa Ritchie, AICP, Senior Planner APPLICANT: City of Louisville REQUEST: Planning Commission discussion on Mobile Food Court regulations Planning Commission Staff Report May 14, 2020