BRENHAM PLANNING AND ZONING PASSES RECOMMENDATION FOR FOOD TRUCK PARKS
The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission has given its support for allowing food truck parks as specific uses in Brenham.
In a unanimous vote, the commission on Monday recommended setting standards related to developing a food truck park and amending zoning regulations to permit them for specific use in areas zoned for local business mixed use; commercial, research and technology use; historical central business use; and neighborhood business use.
The standards define mobile food establishments and food truck parks and lay out a set of proposed standards for how the parks would operate. The amended zoning also allows mobile kitchens at city parks and facilities with approval of the public works director or in conjunction with a facility rental.
Development Services Director Stephanie Doland said while this proposal does not include the proposed “South St. Charles Station” food truck park between South Baylor and South Market Streets, it would set the groundwork for that public-private partnership.
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The proposed standards for a food truck park would include designated seating space, ADA restrooms, two parking spaces per site, 15 feet of side-by-side separation between mobile kitchens and 5 feet of front-to-back separation. In addition, mobile kitchens would be required to park on designated paved surfaces, provide an on-site dumpster and grease disposal, and provide proper utility connections with no on-board generators. Drive-thru service would be prohibited.
Keith Hankins, co-owner of Ant Street Inn and Main Street House in downtown Brenham, said food trucks have competitive advantages such as mobility and low entry fees compared to restaurants. He urged commissioners to keep brick-and-mortar establishments in mind for the support they provide for the community.
A permit fee schedule for mobile food vendors will be a separate item that goes before the Brenham City Council on October 21st, in addition to the proposed standards and zoning changes. Before then, improvements to South Park Street to accommodate food trucks will be considered, along with licenses to encroach for Country Sunshine and Home Sweet Farm, so that they may continue operating in their current capacity, parking in right of way from Wednesday to Sunday.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the commission approved a request from James and Lynnette Hodde to replat 0.7 acres of land at 400 Ross Street into two lots measuring 0.363 acres and 0.337 acres. The dividing of the land will allow for the construction of a second single-family home.
Commissioners also approved a request from KT Auto Plus for a specific use permit to enlarge the floor area of its automobile repair shop at 1006 North Park Street. The shop is currently considered a legally existing nonconforming use, as automobile repair shops and service garages are not listed as permitted or specific uses in the B-1 district. However, with prior approval of a specific use permit in 2006, the shop is allowed to enlarge its floor area as long as it does not include an increase in the land area occupied.
The city should give some type of tax break or something to the established brick and mortar restaurants that have been here all along, to encourage them to stay in business and not feel betrayed or left out if this. I understand that a food truck is not a sit down restaurant, and that weather can affect the sales of a food truck, unlike a real restaurant, but it does seem like a bit of a slap in the face to the existing restaurants, especially ones that were hurt from the 2020 loss of business. Maybe the food trucks should pay for improving the area, not the tax payers?
Seems a bit short sided. More eating options will attract more people to downtown and will benefit the brick and mortar businesses. Food trucks are no substitute for an aie conditoned eatery that serves good food. Food trucks generally are more prevalent during special events which will draw more people. My wife and i are considering a food truck that would serve german food.