Metro Council passes revised food truck regulations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After a year of back and forth, Metro Council has passed a set of food truck regulations.

The process started in October 2018 to revise a city ordinance that impacts food trucks. It passed the full council Thursday night.

The council set out to regulate food trucks as more and more started popping up on Louisville streets. The Louisville Food Truck association protested the push for regulations for months. Some officials had concerns about parking, noise and safety issues with generators, as well as questions about proximity to brick and mortar restaurants.

There are several changes in the revised ordinance, many impacting where food trucks can park. For example, if a food truck's reserved, bagged parking meter spot is occupied, the truck can park at another meter.

Food trucks can also now set up in residential areas but only during a community fair or if catering a private event.

Overall, several council members believe the revised ordinance was a good compromise.

"I think it shows the power of coming together and meeting with people on different sides of the issue and working through to find a compromise solution that addresses the biggest needs that people had," Councilman Markus Winkler said.

In terms of generator noise, the council plans to revisit that issue with a separate ordinance sometime in the near future.

No one representing the food truck association attended the meeting. Its president asked WDRB to refer to a statement the group posted on its Facebook page earlier in the week. It reads as follows:

"We want to thank the several thousands of our loyal customers and all Friends of Food Trucks as we have made our way through the proposed revisions to Louisville's Vending Ordinance. Due largely to the efforts of CM Markus Winkler, all the stakeholders came to the table for meaningful discussion. CM Bill Hollander offered thoughtful insights and suggestions. Together, after both sides actually listened to each other, we have a new proposed vending ordinance that is fair and workable. LFTA looks forward to its passage on Thursday."

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