This article is here in Spanish.
The San Juan Bautista Planning Commission has approved a change to the municipal code to loosen some restrictions on food trucks. If the measure is approved by the council, food trucks will have to pay a $150 per day fee to operate at three specific locations on city streets on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The draft amendment initially envisaged two street locations: in front of the football field on Alameda and opposite the Valero gas station on Muckelemi Street.
The change does not apply to food trucks on private property, such as the Hapa Bros parking lot in the Vertigo parking lot or the Taqueria El Milagro parking lot in the parking lot near 4th and San Jose Streets, as they will be considered separately.
Chairman Jose Aranda initially expressed concerns about the Muckelemi location due to its proximity to the Hwy 156 on- and off-ramp and the safety risks for customers who might be standing around waiting for their food.
“I don’t know if I really like this area,” he said, “just because people are getting off the highway. I know there’s a stop there, but if people are standing on the street, I’d be really worried that someone would get hit.”
During a public hearing, local resident Cara Vonk also objected to this location, as she felt it would make the entrance to the city look “messy and uninviting.”
Community director Erica Fraser, who presented the proposal, said many areas around the city had been considered and found unsuitable for use and that the area at Muckelemi was “broader and not as prohibitive or restrictive” as other street locations.
She also mentioned rejected sites that were too close to existing restaurants or historic buildings. San Juan Bautista State Park officials rejected a site on 2nd Street across from the Plaza Hotel.
Several commissioners agreed that the Monday Night Lights held earlier this year were a success. During these events, two or three food trucks were allowed to operate on 4th Street next to the youth baseball field at Abbe Park on certain Mondays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“One of the advantages of this area,” says DeVries, “is that there has already been a testing phase.”
Commissioner Jackie Morris-Lopez expressed concern that residents in the area would be inconvenienced by food trucks operating late into the evening and asked if opening hours could be shortened to 8 or 9 p.m.
DeVries, who said he lives “across the street from third base” in the park, said he was not aware of any complaints about the food trucks during the “Monday Night Lights” events.
DeVries also asked if the food truck area near the soccer field on Alameda could be expanded further toward Third and Franklin Streets until it doesn’t quite reach the parking lot designated for JJ’s Burgers at 100 Third Street.
The final resolution included that area, Abbe Park and the two previously designated areas. It passed on a 3-0 vote, with Aranda, Morris-Lopez and DeVries voting in favor of the change and Commissioner Iraida Pisano abstaining. Final approval now rests with the City Council.
Food trucks have been a topic of discussion in the community, especially following the controversial actions of former Deputy City Manager Brian Foucht, who cited businesses for alleged zoning code violations. The city began drafting an ordinance in April and subsequently held public workshops, discussions with food truck vendors and developed draft ordinances that it submitted to the Planning Commission.
Aranda began the meeting by noting that a major company in the city was in danger of closing within weeks. He did not reveal which company it was, but said, “They are a major player here in the city and I think they are an integral part. They are fantastic people and everything about this company is great.”
Aranda asked if the commission could assist city staff in developing a plan to present to the City Council to help at-risk businesses. During the discussion, a consensus emerged that the City Council would need more time to pass a measure in such a short period of time due to parliamentary rules and its schedule.
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