Rockwall Council approves food trucks
Rockwall City Council voted to allow food trucks/trailers to operate in certain zoning districts under a set of operational conditions Monday night.
The vote was unanimous, although Mayor Jim Pruitt wasn’t in attendance.
The amendment specifically allows the presence of food trucks in all non-residential zoning districts with the exception of Residential Office (RO) and Neighborhood Services (NS) districts, which are typically closer to residential properties.
The ordinance allows food truck and trailer use if they:
• Are located on an improved surface on private property where an existing business is currently operating with a valid certificate of occupancy. Operation within the public right-of-way is prohibited.
• Operate between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and are removed from the property during non-operation hours.
• Are equipped with trash receptacles approved by the city health inspector and that comply with all other applicable city codes. The outside storage of trash shall be prohibited.
• Offer permanent restrooms (public or private) for employees available within 300 feet of the truck. Portable restrooms facilities are not permitted to meet this requirement.
Other conditions include: access to a minimum of two dedicated parking spaces and not reducing the required parking for the existing building/land use. All noise and lighting will be subject to existing city codes and all signage must be attached to the food truck/trailer with the exception of one freestanding menu board.
The council also voted 5-1 to remand an ordinance request back to the planning and zoning committee amending Planned Development District 8 for the purpose of allowing townhomes on a 6.88-acre tract on the south side of Henry M. Chandler Drive. Council member Dennis Lewis voted against the motion.
Applicant Ed Cavendish requested reinstatement of the preliminary plat that was approved in 1992. This plat depicted the proposed layout for the 44 single-family homes. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the reinstatement request on Oct. 24; however, the applicant submitted another application on Nov. 17 requesting permission for a 48-unit townhome development.
Director of Planning Ryan Miller said the original preliminary plat was approved for 36 units, instead of 44. Council member Bennie Daniels said the discrepancy in the number of units is reason enough for the item to be sent back to Planning and Zoning, but Lewis said he was ready to vote on it now.
In other meeting news, the council unanimously approved:
• The city manager executing a contract with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company to secure reinsurance/stop loss coverage for the city’s health insurance plans applying to claims exceeding $100,000.
• A preliminary plat for an age/restricted senior living community consisting of a 47 single-family lots on a 13.031 tract located north of the intersection of S. Goliad Street and Justin Road. Dub Douphrate of Douphrate & Associates, Inc. made the request on behalf of Russell Hickey of Merritt Capital Partners.
• An ordinance changing the antenna standards to allow replacement telecommunications towers in excess of 125 feet by specific use permit.
• Variances in conjunction with an approved site plan for a Chick-Fil-A with drive-through on a 0.656-acre tract at 1902 and 2000 S. Goliad Street. Randy Eardley, P.E. of Wier & Associates, Inc. made the request on behalf of Getra Thomason-Saunders of Chick-Fil-A, Inc.