The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) will continue its public hearing involving possible revisions to Newtown’s regulations concerning food trucks during tonight's meeting.

The discussion was put on hold during a July 6 meeting after confusion on wording provided by the Newtown Health District.

“Let Rob go back to the [Health District] and see if we can clarify the language in the definition so it’s not confusing over the license and approvals,” said Vice Chairman Roy Meadows, referring to Director of Land Use Rob Sibley.

P&Z Chairman Dennis Bloom, who owns and operates a food truck, recused himself from the hearing.

The proposed amendment states food trucks are considered a “mobile food establishment,” or MFE, with the commission defining them as “a Newtown Public Health licensed motor vehicle, trailer, or mobile food kitchen that is designed to be readily moveable, is self-contained, and from which food and/or, non-alcoholic beverages are prepared, sold or served. The term includes, but is not limited to, a commercially manufactured vehicle.”

Prior to the meeting, the commission sent the proposed amendment to the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) for review. The agency responded stating there is “local interest, but minimal intermunicipal impact,” according to Sibley, which he said was considered a “typical response” on their part regarding similar situations.

From there, discussion centered around making changes to the amendment language, including preventing food trucks from establishing “permanency,” to ensure food trucks could not be stationed continuously in the same “spot over and over and over again, so as to act as a restaurant,” Sibley added.

Sibley talked with commissioners about where and how many food trucks would be allowed at certain locations, and how establishments need to fill out the proper paperwork to obtain proper authorization to host food trucks. The commission also proposed adding: “and serves without a fixed location,” to the regulation draft.

While Health District Director Donna Culbert could not be there in person, Sibley related that she wanted to “commend the commission on their actions regarding this text amendment,” via a letter, citing how it can often be “ too easy to be comfortable in policy, and the gray areas associated with food and health safety” are something that she “takes very seriously.”

The conversation moved to the idea of alcoholic beverages potentially being served in food trucks, with Sibley saying they are not allowed as of right now, and officials “chose not to address alcoholic beverages at this time in mobile food establishments.”

Sibley added that if something like a “beer truck” was to arise, “that we would create a new definition associated with it.”

Breweries, Farmers Markets & Vineyards

Usage of food trucks at local breweries was then discussed.

Previously, those establishments were allowed two food trucks per day, and three per day Friday through Sunday. That definition was modified, however, and if approved would allow breweries three food trucks per day throughout the entire week.

Farmers’ markets were also considered during the discussion, with officials proposing allowing three food trucks per event; having them registered at least two weeks in advance; and if there are more than three applications, the selection being up to the market master.

Vineyards and wineries were then considered, with those establishments being allowed two food trucks per day, one at a time. The only other notable change proposed was modifying the words “food trucks” into “mobile food establishments.”

The motion was made and unanimously approved to further discuss the proposed amendment at the next P&Z meeting, scheduled for 7 pm on Thursday, July 20.

Culbert Comments

Following the meeting, Culbert told The Newtown Bee that commissioners wanted to discuss the amendment and respond to her comments before they took action. She also added language to the proposed draft reflecting that, “The operator/owner of said mobile food establishment is the licensee from the Newtown Health District.”

While Culbert acknowledged that “mobile food service has become increasingly popular,” she added, “There have been decades of time and energy invested by our local food service industry, as well as our District staff, to be leaders in safe and successful food business.”

The health district director said while officials “want to be cognizant of MFE’s place in our local safe and successful businesses ... we also want to be supportive of the more than 80 brick and mortar, tax-paying food service establishments that have made Newtown a mecca for a wide range of dining experiences.”

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Intern/reporter Owen Brown can be reached at owen@thebee.com.