===== PDF PAGE 18 =====
[Extraction: embedded PDF text]
CITY OF WEST CHICAGO

               DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION COMMISSION
                       AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE:
                                       AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 8
Proposal to Ease Food Truck Restrictions
                                          COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: June 22, 2026


STAFF REVIEW: John Sterrett, Community Development  SIGNATURE __________________________
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 the downtown. Furthermore, staff recommends that food trucks be permitted in the public
right-of-way and on City-owned property in the downtown with approval of a Mobile Food Vendor li-
cense, which staff proposes to create. Below is an outline of the staff recommendations to allow food
trucks.

This proposal went before the Economic Development Commission in October of last year and re-
ceived favorable feedback.

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

===== PDF PAGE 19 =====
[Extraction: embedded PDF text]
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.
•  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, Mosaic Market etc.) or City-sponsored event (Railroad Days) shall only be re-
   quired 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.

ACTIONS PROPOSED:
Staff is requesting the Downtown Revitalization Commission review and provide feedback on the pro-
posal.