Fort Myers Beach grapples with the growing presence of food trucks after Hurricane Ian. Here's a breakdown of the key points:
The Issue:
- Commercial mobile trailers, typically food trucks, are increasing on the island since the hurricane.
- Town code prohibits them, but temporary use has been allowed to help property owners.
The Debate:
- Concerns: Councilmember Safford worries about unregulated growth and wants designated areas for food trucks. He's open to both mid-island and Santini Plaza locations.
- Benefits: Mayor Allers acknowledges the positive impact of food trucks and proposes using the former town hall property, avoiding competition with existing businesses.
- Challenges: Balancing temporary relief with long-term planning. How to differentiate between established businesses using trailers and new ventures?
Possible Solutions:
- Designated Food Truck Court: Repurposing the former town hall is an option under consideration.
- Time Limits: Setting a deadline for temporary trailer use is a possibility, but enforcing it might be difficult.
- Prioritizing Rebuilding: Giving businesses rebuilding after the hurricane more leeway in using trailers is a potential solution.
Next Steps:
- The Local Planning Agency will review council comments and collaborate with the town attorney to create a new ordinance regulating temporary trailers.
- The community discussion aims to find a balance that supports both established businesses and the evolving food truck scene.
Unresolved Questions:
- How to handle trailers offering services not currently available, like haircuts?
- Will limiting businesses lead to lawsuits?
The Takeaway:
Fort Myers Beach seeks a solution that fosters recovery while ensuring a vibrant and balanced business landscape. The future of food trucks on the island remains to be determined.