The Sealy City Council discussed the possibility of relaxing some of the rules on food trucks operating within the city limits at Tuesday night’s council meeting.   The current ordinance in the city, put in place in 2005, only allows food trucks to be stationary in one location for no more than forty-five minutes.  Food trucks must also go to the expense and hassle to get a permit every time they desire to operate within the city limits and are only allowed a one or two-day permit for special events such as festivals. This has made the city limits of Sealy an inhospitable location for food trucks to operate.

Steve Bullard who, along with his wife, owns and operates the Vineyard II in Eagle Lake spoke to the council about how they utilize food trucks for their business.  The winery started what they call Food Truck Friday in where they will have a particular food truck park in front of their business to offer a different cuisine to their patrons each week.  He says that they have been utilizing the food trucks for the past six weeks with great success.  So much so that they have these events scheduled through July. 

The event(s) typically run from 5-8 pm, covering the majority of people’s dinner time.  This three-hour window typically is enough time for everyone who frequents their establishment the ability to be served in a comfortable and timely manner.  These food trucks, so far, have come from Houston, Sugar Land and Katy.  Some of the foods he has been able to offer his customers are Greek, Sushi, German, Seafood, Lobster and many other varieties.  He says that instead of Eagle Lake residents heading into Katy or Sugarland they are staying in town and patronizing the winery primarily for the different kinds of cuisine they have lined up. 

Mr. Bullard stated that these food trucks are not the stereotypical “Taco Trucks” that one sees at construction sites but, are actually quite nice and serve some exquisite food.  The trucks must meet all the health and safety standards that other restaurant establishments must meet for serving food.  He says that many of the trucks are run by professionally trained chefs who, for whatever reason, have found it easier to operate their mobile restaurants rather than having the expense of a “brick and mortar” restaurant.  He also stated that he has had food truck vendors explain that places that do require permitting every week or every event are typically avoided.  The food trucks find this hassle and expense too prohibitive and will instead operate in areas that don’t require the additional restrictions that these municipalities impose.

Mayor Mark Stolarski voiced his support for increasing the time allowed for food trucks to be increased to four or five hours and Wyn McCready voiced his support for changing the ordinance for having a less restrictive permitting process.  He cited the irony of the fact that one Sealy resident in particular who owns a food truck, has to operate in Katy because of the restrictive ordinance on food trucks in Sealy.  He also feels that the increased diversity of cuisine that food trucks could give the city would be a great help, especially during things like the upcoming Street Dance and Cruise In event being hosted by the Sealy Mainstreet. 

The video below is of the discussion concerning food trucks in Sealy.

 

 

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