Palm Springs City Council revises proposal to expand food truck operations

Plans to revise food truck guidelines in Palm Springs are moving forward.

Palm Springs City Council voted 4-1 Monday night to make some changes to recommendations that could allow more food trucks more often.

“I think we do want to support businesses in our city including food trucks," said Councilmember Christy Holstege. "I think there are areas of the downtown that could benefit from more foot traffic, could benefit from more economic development work.”

Holstege got behind the relaxed restrictions, which include allowing food trucks to operate along more city streets and public parks.

It was a policy that Councilmember Lisa Middleton took issue with.

“Our parks are located in residential neighborhoods. I am concerned about having businesses operating and the noise would be involved of the operations of those businesses," Middleton said.

Food trucks are permitted on private property upon approval of a Land Use Permit. Food trucks are permitted to vend on school property, provided the use is authorized by the school district or school administrator. However, food trucks are not permitted in Downtown Palm Springs.

Middleton said it could potentially divide businesses.

“I am extremely concerned about direction we seem to be heading this evening," she said.

Holstege believes it would do the opposite.

"Development for some businesses helps others. We really can't see this as either or because the people who are eating a taco at a food truck or nice coffee are not the people who are going to sit down at a sit down restaurant. It's just different," Holstege said.

The new guidelines also proposes extended hours, allowing food trucks to operate from to 7am to 3am. Currently, food trucks are only permitted to operate from 9:00am to 5:00pm during the winter months and from 9:00am to 7:00pm during the summer months.

Mayor Grace Garner was a big supporter of this, saying it’s an added food option late at night.

"Once you hit 11pm There's really not anything open in Palm Springs in terms of food, but our bars are open until 2am. I want people to have options of places to get food," Garner said.

The city council did not agree with the entire proposal. They want to see some new changes.

The voted on revisions such as making sure food trucks operate at least 200 feet away from businesses and to operate on streets with a speed limit of 35mph or below.

City council is urging more community input before making a final decision.