A sizzling hot topic is on Whiteville City Council’s plate next week: the public will have another opportunity to share input on possible changes to Whiteville’s food truck ordinance.
For the past several years, proponents and opponents of food trucks have served up everything but knuckle sandwiches in an ongoing debate about whether they should or should not be allowed to regularly operate throughout the city.
Critics of food trucks contend that these mobile businesses will wheel into Whiteville and leave without investing in the community; however, food truck operators and their allies have said that more business in town is good for overall economic development.
Council will put recently recommended changes to its food truck ordinance up for discussion Tuesday at a public hearing to see whether there’s an appetite for expanded access to food truck fare.
Currently, food trucks can only operate on public property during special events, such as festivals. However, that could change if council follows the planning board’s recommendation.
According to the proposed amendment, up to 25 mobile vendors could register for a permit to park and ply their trade, to be renewed annually.
If approved by council, mobile vendors could operate in Central Business (B-1) and Retail/Office Complex (B-4) zoning districts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For Highway Serving Business (B-3) and Office and Institutional (O&I) zoning districts, mobile vendors could operate on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
However, the proposed amendment notes, food trucks would not be able to operate at the same site for more than six consecutive hours and must have permission of the property owner.
The public hearing will be held on Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Whiteville City Hall, located at 317 S. Madison St.
It was not known at press time if council will also be voting on the recommended text amendment change at the meeting.
