If you're hungry you may soon have some new options to grab a bite to eat off campus.
The City Council gave the green light on changes to the city's zoning ordinance that will allow food trucks to operate in several different neighborhoods throughout Auburn.
"I would like to see us utilize this more," said Ward 3 Councilwoman Beth Witten. "You see them popping up. Amsterdam has one, and Big Blue Crawfish has one. I like a food truck. I think they're festive and fun. But we do need to be respectful of other businesses."
The council's decision will permit the food trucks to operate in town, modifying the previous code that did not permit food trucks. The changes set limits on the trucks in order to protect brick-and-mortar businesses that may be concerned about food trucks parking right outside their door.
Auburn's zoning ordinance did not previously allow food trucks to operate off Auburn University's campus within the city.
But some may have already been operating illegally.
"Officially they are not allowed until this ordinance goes into effect," said Forrest Cotten, Auburn's planning director. "We have reason to believe that there are multiple ones out there operating illegally. Just no one has taken any enforcement action. This is an effort to develop a framework within which they will be allowed."
The Planning Commission approved the changes to the zoning code at their Aug. 10 meeting, but the City Council's vote was needed to give final approval.
The council's green light is the second major change in the last month to city ordinances covering mobile vendors. Earlier this month, the council voted to prohibit street vendors in downtown Auburn, including a vendor that set up to sell toilet paper on Toomer's Corner after home football games.
Under the new changes to the ordinance, food trucks won't be allowed to operate downtown. They will be allowed to operate in other areas of the city though, including many of the neighborhoods surrounding downtown, along some parts of Opelika Road and South College Street and in many of the industrial areas where food trucks cater to workers.
Map: Via City of Auburn Graphics: The Auburn Plainsman
To protect brick-and-mortar businesses, both the Planning Commission and the City Council chose to adopt a provision in the ordinance that would prohibit the food trucks from operating within 200 feet of other restaurants unless they receive written permission from the business owner.
"After paying for a brick and mortar business I don’t think it’s fair to allow a food truck to pull up right next to it," said Ward 8 Councilman Tommy Dawson. "It costs more to operate a brick and mortar business than a food truck."
Witten, who was originally opposed to the 200-foot rule, later changed her vote after some discussion with the rest of the councilmembers.
"It's not consistent in thought with our recent ordinance about sidewalk sales in downtown Auburn [to allow them too close to other businesses]," Witten said after the meeting adjourned. "In the spirit of being consistent, I felt that it should maintain at 200 feet."
Street food vendors like
The ordinance also permits food truck courts where several different food trucks gather in one location. They can set up tables and even build permanent structures to sell alcohol. Witten said she was excited about the potential of the food truck courts.
"Out of downtown, I think the mobile food courts would be ideal where you see two or three of them gather together," Witten said. "That way it's more of a destination when we want to go get lunch, and you want a taco but I want a burger. It establishes a sense of place with the court idea."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Chip Brownlee, senior in journalism and political science, is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
