Port Aransas is edging closer to putting new regulations in place for operation of food trucks in the city.
At deadline for this edition, the Port Aransas City Council was scheduled to vote on a second reading of proposed changes in ordinances that apply to food trucks.
The vote was slated to happen during a meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20 – after deadline for this edition of the South Jetty. (Look for an update in the May 28 edition of the paper.)
The council OK’d first readings of three sets of proposed regulations on April 21. The proposed regulations must get approvals at three meetings to become law.
The Council is going to have to revamp its food truck ordinance to make it less restrictive because of a new state law.
Until now, Port Aransas city ordinances largely have prohibited food trucks in town, with limited exceptions. One exception is that they can operate on restaurant property but must sell items identical to what’s on the restaurant’s menu.
But now the city is going to have to change its ordinance to comply with Texas House Bill 2844.
The state law, which was approved by the Legislature last year and takes effect on July 1, affects cities throughout Texas.
In Port Aransas, it means city government will have to eliminate a current requirement tying food trucks to local restaurants.
Proposed regulations state that food trucks would be restricted to locations within certain zoning districts in town, according to Nicole Boyer, director of Development Services at Port Aransas City Hall.
Other proposed regulations include:
• Adequate parking must be available where food trucks park.
• Trash cans must be available for trash such as food wrappers or drink cups.
• Restrooms would have to be available within 200 feet of food trucks.
Additional rules also are under consideration.