By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Milford City Council members are trying to decide how to best regulate food trucks in the city.

A public hearing was held to discuss food truck regulations during the Aug. 7 council meeting.

Pam Holbrook, planning and zoning director for the city, presented a text amendment to council that she said she created using several examples.

Holbrook said the requirements for food truck operators would include acquiring an annual zoning certificate, having proof of property owner approval, following regulations as to how many hours the truck would be open selling food, and more.

She said this would not apply to food trucks participating in special events, like Street Eats, hosted by the city.

“What this is trying to do is regulate not so much special events, but that food truck operator that would park in a lot and stay there five days a week,” Holbrook said.

Holbrook said it is cheaper for food truck operators to drive to a location and sell their products rather than purchasing or leasing a building or space to use as a restaurant.

She said the food truck regulations are out of respect for the restaurant owners who have invested money into the city by purchasing or leasing buildings.

Councilwoman Amy Brewer said she feels that there are places where food trucks would be appropriate, like an industrial park or office park where employees could visit the food truck in the parking lot on their lunch break.

Mayor Laurie Howland said she loves food trucks and doesn’t disagree with having them, but she said there has to be a give and take to protect the restaurant owners who invested in the city.

“I appreciate respecting the small restaurants,” Howland said.

Howland said food trucks could have a huge impact on some of the small, mom and pop restaurants located in the city.

“We can’t think about a fad, we have to think about longevity,” Howland said.

Councilwoman Charlene Hinners agreed.

“I just don’t want anything that takes away from our own places of business,” Hinners said.

City Manager Jeff Wright said he feels the language of the amendment is good, especially since they don’t have regulations in place.

“We don’t have any regulations,” Wright said. “This is good middle ground.”

No individuals from the public spoke about the food truck text amendment during the hearing.