Simsbury Zoning Commsion Public Hearing February 21, 2024 Food Trucks

Zoning Commission Meeting February 21, 2024

Public Hearing - Food Trucks

It appears to me that the Food Truck issue has become a political football pitting the special interests against the rule of law and fairness.

The Town of Simsbury has always invited various businesses to Town for entertainment, services and education.

The Simsbury Performing Arts Center has invited many bands and other entertainment venues to provide a service to the public.

Many of these outside entities do not pay taxes to the Town but provide a service to the community.

Many of these venues add to the quality of life and bring people to the Town.

Foot traffic is one of the triggers that add to economic development.

The Rules of the Zoning Commission should not isolate the Town from creative activities that enhances the community.

Food Trucks have become a creative business that serves many areas in Town by providing on site food service.

Many businesses provide Food Trucks with food for their employees.

Schools should be able to have Food Trucks to provide food and snacks at home games.

The Town fields with sporting activities should be able to invite Food Trucks to provide food and snacks at the fields.

The Zoning Commission has written a text amendment that serves the interest of the community

Add the following new definitions alphabetically to Section 17.4, Definitions:

MOBILE FOOD VENDOR – Any vehicle, unit, trailer used to store, prepare display, or serve food and/or beverages and other merchandise or service intended primarily for immediate use, consumption on site or in proximity, sited on private property for the limited duration exceeding thirty minutes.

The Food Trucks should be required to submit public gathering permits to the Town Planner with approvals from all requirements to protect the health and safety of the community with the approved permit in view from the Food Truck.

The text states, “serve food and/or beverages.”

Beverages should be defined that no alcoholic beverages be served from Food Trucks.

Alcohol consumption along with prescription and several over the counter drugs can impair driving.

The Food Trucks should not impact the parking by violating the site plane submitted to the Town.

In so doing, the Town Planner should make sure that all the rules of law are not violated.

Fines should be imposed on all violations to the regulations.

Food Trucks are an asset to Economic Development and should be approved by the Zoning Commission.