Beatrice elected officials could soon vote on food truck ordinance

BEATRICE – The City of Beatrice is getting closer to have a policy that regulates food trucks, which are becoming popular dining alternatives in some communities.
Some changes have been made to a proposed food truck ordinance. The ordinance now would only deal with mobile food trucks using public property, not private property.

The policy would offer annual or weekly permits....including an annual permit for permanent restaurants that make use of food trucks, occasionally. Annual permits would be considered for approval by the city council, while weekly permits would be considered by city administration.

City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says officials have not yet settled on a fee structure, under the proposed ordinance.  Officials dumped a proposed recycling provision.

Mobile food trucks or vending units would be allowed anywhere in the city where restaurants are allowed. They would be allowed by right, in light and general commercial or the central business district.

Two thousand square feet would be required at a minimum for food trucks and the access space around them.  No action was taken on the proposed ordinance Monday night, giving council members some more time to review it.