By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Paris City Commission Thursday night reviewed a draft of a new ordinance that would govern the operation of food trucks in the city limits.
City Manager Kim Foster said food trucks have become more and more prevalent in the community and staff felt it is time to adopt formal regulations regarding their operation and permitting. She said the city does not want to adversely affect food trucks “but we have had two different inquiries about food trucks just in the last week or two.”
Several people who either operate food trucks or are interested in operating them were on hand at the meeting.
The proposed ordinance was drafted by City Attorney Fred McLean after staff pulled together ordinances from other cities and reviewed them to see which scenarios applied to the city of Paris.
The proposed ordinance discusses in detail the operation of food trucks and ice cream trucks, defining how and where each can operate. It also proposes fees for operators, deadlines for permits and insurance coverage information.
Under the proposal, food trucks would be permitted to operate on city right of ways and public property for authorized events and would be allowed on private property where there is a commercial, official, educational, church or industrial use, with permission.
Ice cream trucks would not be allowed to operate in a public right of way at any one location longer than 15 minutes at a time without relocating to another location but would be allowed on private property for events with permission.
Foster noted that neither food trucks nor ice cream trucks would be able to work at McNeill Park since the vendor there has an exclusive contract.
Morris asked commissioners to read the proposed ordinance and once it has been reviewed and revisions made, it will be put into ordinance form for the second reading.
In other business:
–During the public comment section, George Suckovich objected to the manner in which the city has handled the problem of storm water drainage. “For one thing, storm water is not a constant thing. I don’t know how you’re going to charge each property for this. Are you going to charge each one and who is in charge of that money? I just think it’s been addressed poorly.”
–The Commission approved the request to rezone property in the 500 block of North Poplar St. belonging to Peter Bubelynk. They parcels will be rezoned R-3. They plan to combine two lots to create a larger residential lot. There already have been public hearings and discussed and approved at the planning commission.
–City Manager Kim Foster reported that quite a bit of progress has been made on the signalization project at Jim Adams Drive and Patriot Ave. over the past week. Work has been done on the pedestals for the light poles and sidewalk and curb work is complete.
–Troy Barrow was appointed to replace Jen Snow and Jack Spencer was appointed to replace Laura Davis on the library board. Traci Wilson and Sue Quinn were reappointed to the ADA board.
Photo: George Suckovich speaks during the public comment portion of meeting. (McFarlin photo).