===== PDF PAGE 23 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: ______7________ Proposal to Ease Food Truck Restrictions FILE NUMBER: _______________ COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: October 28, 2025 STAFF REVIEW: John Sterrett, Interim Community SIGNATURE __________________________ Development Director In 2022, the City adopted the current Comprehensive Plan known as West Chicago Forward/Adelante West Chicago. Throughout the plan, the use of mobile food vendors, such as food trucks and food carts, is encouraged. The City’s Code of Ordinances contains regulations for food trucks in the public right-of-way under Section 9-82, Peddler’s Licenses. The Zoning Code, however, allows the use of food trucks within the M Manufacturing District only, and those food trucks may serve only the em- ployees that work on the property where the food truck is located. Food trucks are prohibited in all other areas in the City. The Comprehensive Plan calls for expanding mobile food vendors as a permit- ted use beyond the M District to all commercial zoning districts, with emphasis placed on food trucks permitted in the downtown. Mobile food vendors can add vibrancy to the community by creating a festive atmosphere while also providing economic opportunities for startups in the food industry. Expanding mobile food vendors to other zoning districts can be accomplished through an amendment to the text of the Zoning Code. Staff recommends deleting from the Zoning Code the current section restricting food trucks solely to the M Manufacturing and replacing it with a provision that permits the use of food trucks on private property in all zoning districts. Furthermore, staff recommends that food trucks be permitted in the public right-of-way and on City-owned property in the downtown (Central Business District) with ap- proval of a Mobile Food Vendor license, which staff proposes to create. Below is an outline of the staff recommendations to allow food trucks. Downtown (B-1 Central Business District) Private property • Permit the use of food trucks on all private property within the downtown. • Limit 1 food truck per zoning lot. • Consider separation requirements of a food truck from a brick-and-mortar restaurant/beverage es- tablishment, unless permission is granted from said brick-and-mortar restaurant/beverage estab- lishment. • Establish requirements to ensure the placement of a food truck on a property does not inhibit any vehicular or pedestrian access. City-owned Property/Public Right-of-Way • Identify appropriate public locations for food trucks in areas of the downtown where there are commercial gaps, such as along Main Street between Center Street and the Metra Lot. • Utilization of Turner Court, the Turner Court parking lot, and the Fremont Street water tower park- ing lot. ===== PDF PAGE 24 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Consider excluding the use of the public right-of-way of Main Street between Center Street and Washington Street to prevent what could be perceived as unfair competition with existing restau- rant uses. • Require a Mobile Food Vendor license for any food truck utilizing City-owned property or public right-of-way. Festivals and Events • Any food truck associated with a City-planned event (e.g. Food Fest, Blooming Fest, Downtown Trick or Treating, etc.) or City-sponsored event (Railroad Days) shall only be required to complete the vendor application and comply with the requirements associated with the specific event. • West Chicago Food Festival continues to grow each year and future event programming, from ei- ther City-planned or sponsored events, should be supported by City code allowing the increase in opportunities for food trucks. Other Commercial Districts and Industrial Districts • Permit the use of food trucks on all private property in the B-2 General Business District, the B-3 Regional Shopping District, the ORI District, and the M Manufacturing District. • Limit the use of food trucks in these districts to private property only, and only 1 food truck per zon- ing lot. • Consider separation requirements of a food truck from a brick-and-mortar restaurant/beverage es- tablishment, unless permission is granted from said brick-and-mortar restaurant/beverage estab- lishment. • No Mobile Food Vendor License shall be required but a Zoning Permit shall be applied for and se- cured by the property owner to ensure that the food truck will not be located in any required park- ing spaces, does not obstruct any access to/from the site, emergency vehicle access, nor restrict any pedestrian access. Residential Districts • Allow the use of food trucks in all residential districts when associated with a private event occur- ring, such as family parties, apartment complex gatherings, block parties, etc. without the need for a Mobile Food Vendor License. ACTIONS PROPOSED: Staff is requesting the Economic Development Commission review and provide feedback on the pro- posal. Staff’s intention is to bring this topic to the newly formed Downtown Revitalization Commission for their input and recommendation.