Hialeah is on the verge of approving an ordinance aimed at regulating the use of food trucks in the city.
According to the draft, the owners of these businesses will need a license to operate and a designated parking spot.
"I want to make a clear statement: food trucks are welcome. I believe they are having significant success in various areas, but it must always be managed in a controllable manner. New regulations are needed to determine where they can park and to protect the safety of residents," said Mayor Esteban Bovo in a statement to America Tevé.
"We want to study where they can be allowed, particularly considering the dangers that may arise if they are next to a gas station... It’s not about restricting them or disallowing them, but rather about creating specific zones," Bovo added.
A similar viewpoint was expressed by Councilman Carl Zogby, who noted that they are receiving some complaints about the locations where food trucks are parking, as they are not being well received.
If the ordinance is approved, food truck owners will have to meet several requirements, including presenting the license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the name and address of the applicant and the owner (if different), the type of food they sell, and a notarized letter of authorization from the landowner where they will park, among other things.
Trucks can only be located in designated areas, at least ten feet away from buildings or any structures.
Additionally, their presence is prohibited within 500 feet of food stores and gas stations, which impacts many of these businesses located at service stations.
The document was approved on first reading by the City Council on January 23 and is scheduled for a second reading on February 13.
The measure has generated mixed opinions among food truck owners and customers. Some believe it is a way to limit their activity and competition.
Others, on the other hand, believe that it is necessary to regulate this type of business to prevent health issues, traffic problems, and noise.
The authorities indicated that, if the ordinance is approved, they will provide details and deadlines for food truck owners to comply with the new regulations.
The proposed regulation presents challenges for food truck owners in Hialeah, who fear that the new restrictions will negatively impact their businesses. Meanwhile, the city aims to balance the protection of public order with entrepreneurial freedom in this growing economic sector.
Food trucks are a popular and affordable option for dining in Hialeah, especially during times of economic crisis.
Its presence has multiplied in recent years, offering a variety of dishes and flavors.
Many of these businesses have been opened by Cubans who recently arrived in the United States.
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