Should food truck restrictions be eased in St. Johns County?

County Commission to vote on proposal to expand zoning for food trucks

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County Commission will vote Tuesday morning on whether or not to expand commercial zoning designations that allow mobile food trucks. 

St. Johns County conducted a survey of 1,800 residents and discovered that there is a lot of support for easing restrictions of food truck vendors. 

The survey found:

  • When asked if they thought food trucks would be good for the local economy, 1,065 residents said, "Yes, they would greatly benefit."
  • When asked if food trucks should be required to maintain a certain distance from brick and mortar restaurants, 786 residents said, "No."
  • When asked what areas they believed food trucks should be permitted, 1,417 residents said, "Any property located in commercial area."

"The biggest takeaway is the number of people (who) were in favor of mobile food vending in the county and that wanted it here," said Joseph Cearley, St. Johns County special projects manager. 

Rick Prady, who owns Tropi-Cali, said the food truck does well set up on one of St. Augustine's busiest streets.

"Where you are, at the position you are in is everything," Prady said. 

Prady said he's excited to hear food trucks could soon have more location options in St. Johns County.

"I think that's a good thing. It's good business. It's good for everybody. It's good for the business. It's good for the business owners. And it's also good for the patrons," Prady said. 

The measure would allow the county to open zoning in areas where there is a higher volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

"Right now, currently, the land of element code allows for mobile food vending, but only in one specific zoning category, commercial intensive. This will allow them to open up along areas where there is more high-volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic," Cearley said. 

Prady said that would make world of difference.

"Those guys do well with the good foot traffic, if you can get a spot like that. That's why I think if they are going to open up spots, that's really good for everybody," Prady said. 

If the County Commission decides to move forward with the plan, the next step would be drafting an ordinance. 

The County Commission meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday.