(Carolina Journal) The friendliest city to food trucks in North Carolina may kick food trucks off its streets, or at least streets where there are restaurants nearby.
For the last several years, Durham has fostered one of the most popular “street food” scenes in the country. The roughly 40 food trucks that roam Durham’s commercial areas and neighborhoods have appeared on reality TV shows and contributed to the city’s reputation as a national food destination.
Despite — or perhaps because of — the food trucks’ success, city planners have proposed banning trucks within 100 feet of restaurants, and 300 feet of special events including Durham’s weekly farmers’ market, which has become a hot spot for food trucks. Taking up more than one parking space also could become illegal, even if trucks paid for both spaces.
Food truck fans packed into city hall July 9 for a public hearing on the matter. Dozens of people spoke passionately in support of food trucks, and no one offered comments against them.
Nick Johnson of The Cookery — a commissary where many of Durham’s food trucks prepare their food — said creating buffer zones around restaurants would blur the line between public and private property.
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