By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CHAPEL HILL – Clearing the way for food trucks in Chapel Hill, the Town Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve a fee schedule for an ordinance that will allow the trucks within town limits.
The discussion stems from a 2011 petition by Lex Alexander, owner of 3Cups café on Elliott Road, that the town change regulations to allow food trucks. The council held a series of public hearings late last year, hearing little opposition to allowing food trucks in town.
Council members had previously expressed concern about funding the regulation of the trucks. On Monday, town planner Kendal Brown presented a fee schedule for the trucks, which would require a $118 zoning permit for both owners of property where food trucks park and the food-truck owners, as well as a $600 annual fee to truck owners to offset inspections and regulatory costs.
Under the regulations, the vendors will also be required to pay sales tax on sales made in Orange County.
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce had previously expressed concerns about the trucks’ effects on downtown restaurants, but chamber CEO Aaron Nelson said he felt the concerns were addressed in the planning process.
“We look forward to welcoming food trucks to Chapel Hill, but will continue to monitor their impact on existing local businesses,†he said.
The ordinance will allow food trucks or trailers on private, commercially zoned lots, subject to approval by the property owner. Food trucks would have to be at least 100 feet from the customer entrance of a restaurant during its hours of operation, unless approved to be closer by a restaurant, and could not provide seating.
In the downtown area, trucks would only be allowed to operate in lots with at least five parking spaces and an existing business in a permanent building. One truck would be allowed per 1,500 square feet of parking lot.
Outside the downtown area, trucks would be limited to one vendor per acre or per 30 parking spaces.