Food trucks soon may have some ground rules for operating within the city of Holmes Beach.
City commissioners Sept. 15 discussed a draft ordinance that would allow food trucks as a permitted use in the city’s C-2 and C-3 zoning districts.
City code currently prohibits food trucks but a state law — House Bill 1193 — passed in 2020 preempts local governments from regulating their operation except to establish a “reasonable” space to operate.
In July, Anna Maria city officials began discussing a food truck ordinance to create a 20-by-90-foot area in a city right of way at the northwest end of Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd., but public opposition tabled the item until October and may lead to changes.
Bradenton Beach officials started talking about a food truck ordinance earlier this month, including a potential site adjacent to the Wicked Cantina restaurant between Seventh and Ninth streets north along Gulf Drive.
Holmes Beach’s draft ordinance follows a different path from the other island cities.
The ordinance would allow food truck operators to seek written consent from business owners in the city’s C-2 and C-3 commercial zones to operate 7 a.m.-7 p.m. up to two days per week from that businesses’ excess parking spaces or other finished surfaces.
Up to two food trucks would be allowed to operate simultaneously at each site, unless otherwise allowed as part of a permit for a special event.
Food trucks operating for more than four hours at one site must have that business’s consent to access a public restroom.
Food trucks would be prohibited from operating within rights of way, conducting retail sales or business activities unrelated to food and beverages, as well as use of spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
Chad Minor, the city’s planning and zoning administrator, said food trucks were prohibited from operating within the C-1 zoning district, the city’s most intensive commercial zone, since restaurants already were prohibited in the district.
The C-1 zone is mostly at the intersection of Manatee Avenue West and East Bay Drive.
He said allowing food trucks to operate where restaurants can’t operate would be inappropriate.
Commissioners reached a consensus to move forward with the ordinance.
In other matters …
Holmes Beach commissioners also:
- Unanimously voted to approve a resolution amending the city budget to reallocate $46,147 from contingency to donations and city field/park improvements to fund the purchase of parcels near the Grassy Point Preserve;
- Reached consensus to move forward with two ordinances that would amend the comprehensive plan’s future land use map and rezone city-owned properties from residential to recreational/open space and conservation.
The commission will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Directions to attend can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.